Mary Ellen Hawkinson

Mary Ellen "M.E." "Mel" (Riley) Hawkinson, 83, of Lake Mary, Florida, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 1, 2026, after a long and brave battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born January 4, 1943, in Milford, Massachusetts, Mary Ellen lived her life with the energy, warmth, and adventurous spirit of a true New Englander. Athletic from a young age, she loved sports-especially cheering on the Boston Red Sox-and developed an early wanderlust that would shape the course of her life.

She attended Plymouth State College, earning a degree in education and beginning what would become a lifelong calling as a teacher. Mary Ellen dedicated her life to nurturing and guiding children. She taught physical education for many years before spending nearly three decades as a preschool teacher, lovingly teaching her "little people." Generations of students were touched by her patience, humor, and boundless heart-children who are now grown and spread across the world, carrying pieces of her kindness with them.

While at Plymouth State, she formed some of her dearest lifelong friendships and discovered her love for skiing and adventure. After graduation, she signed a contract with the Department of Defense and moved to Germany to teach children of American military families. There, she formed lifelong friendships with a group affectionately known as "the Rat Pack," fellow teachers and friends who shared her love of skiing, camping, and travel. A passionate photographer, Mary Ellen was always the one gathering everyone together to capture the moment.

While in Germany, she met the love of her life, Robert Glenn Hawkinson, who was stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base. Together, they traveled throughout Europe and were married in Switzerland on a Tuesday-a detail that perfectly reflected their spontaneous and joyful approach to life. Their adventures continued back in the United States, first in Mary Esther, Florida, then in Camp Springs, Maryland, where they welcomed their children Bradley and Kelly, before settling permanently in Lake Mary, Florida, in 1989.

Lake Mary became home for the rest of her life-a place where she raised her children, nurtured her garden, ferried Brad and Kelly to endless activities, supported them through every chapter of life, and formed deep friendships through her YMCA swimming group. Together, she and Bob traveled to 49 states and frequently returned to New England to visit family and friends and swim in the lakes she cherished. Even after Bob's passing in 2010, she continued to embrace life-visiting her 50th state, nurturing friendships, and always putting others first. In 2016, she joyfully became a Grammy with the birth of her first granddaughter, Mary Agnes, lovingly known as Maggie.

Mary Ellen will be remembered as thoughtful, caring, mischievous in the best way, and endlessly devoted-to her students, her friends, her family, and especially her children. She had a gift for making everyone feel truly seen and deeply loved.

She is survived by her son, Bradley Hawkinson; her daughter, Kelly Massa; her son-in-law, Thomas Massa; and her beloved granddaughters, Mary Agnes and Elizabeth Anne Massa. She is also survived by her stepdaughter Holly Batti, brothers, Terry Riley and Tom Riley; her sisters, Kathleen Hildebrandt and Patricia Rooney; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and former students. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Glenn Hawkinson.

A celebration of Mary Ellen's life will be held in late spring or summer, with details to be shared with family and friends.

Her family finds comfort in knowing that her legacy lives on in the countless lives she shaped with her compassion, encouragement, and love.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of your choice in her honor and in support of all those affected by this disease. You may also choose to plant a garden in her memory, celebrating her love of life and the beauty she brought to others.