Mary Catherine Hawkins

The beautiful red-headed, blue-eyed Mary Catherine Reilly was born on September 23, 1931, in New York City to Irish immigrants, Thomas and Nora Reilly from Tuam in County Galway. She grew up with several siblings: Thomas, Michael, Eileen, Rita, and Patricia. God gave them a wonderful life, a close-knit family, and the many lessons that they learned from the Old School their families have benefitted from. On December 5, 1953, Mary married the love of her life, the handsome and classy, Robert John Hawkins. They were happily married for 47 years, and Mary faithfully sat by her husband's side every day for several years while he lived in the Veteran's Nursing Home (WWII) in Daytona Beach, Florida. God took her husband home on December 17, 2000.

They were blessed with one child, Robert, in 1967, who will love them both forever, and a beautiful daughter-in-law, Malissa, who loved and cared for them in many ways. Life's journey took Mary and Bob from New York to New Jersey to Florida where Bob retired from working on the railroad for nearly 40 years. In 2017, Mary moved from Palm Coast, FL to Cleveland, TN to live with her son and daughter-in-law and they are so very thankful for the time that God gave them with Mary.

In TN, Mary enjoyed the company of extended family, especially Barbara Roberts, Malissa's mother, and loving friends from The Church of God who always prayed for her and encouraged her. She is also surrounded by many nephews and nieces who have such fond memories and respect for their Aunt Mary. Mom spent the last few weeks of her life in the comfort and protection of her home and passed away from this life to heaven very peacefully the morning of November 6, 2025. When Mom was asked if she had made her peace with God, if she asked the Lord to forgive her of her sins and Jesus to come into her heart, she said, after not being able to speak for a couple of days, "Of course I did." That is the blessed hope that we have, and we will forever hold to. Jesus is the only hope for any of us in the world today and in the eternity to come. Mom, we love you so very much and will see you soon! XOXO

Mary's memorial will be held at The Church of God, 193 Tillie Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 on November 22, 2025 with visitation beginning at 11 AM and service to follow at noon. Her internment will be at the Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513 on December 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM.