PAULA HAWKINS

1935 - 2022

HAWKINS--Paula. Paula K. Hawkins, age 86, devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, died peacefully in her home in NYC on January 7th. 2022. Paula was born in 1935 to Beth and Dr. Ronald Kaplan in Cleveland, Ohio. Her father, a doctor in the U.S. Navy, was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese invaded. As a six-year-old child she watched as Japanese bombers flew overhead and hid in a cave for three days. Paula was a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1957. She attended Columbia in the Art History Masters program but left prior to finishing for a job at the Hirschl and Adler Gallery in New York City. She married Steven Lipsitz and they had two daughters, Jane and Alexandra. Paula eventually left the gallery to raise her daughters and worked as an independent art dealer. Her second marriage, to Eliot Hawkins took place in 1987. Eventually Paula returned to work for the Koch administration as Development Director for the Cities and Schools Project. She then became a development consultant for several organizations and causes, among them the Big Apple Circus and the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton and Al Gore. Paula had found her niche: it was difficult to turn down her persuasive pitch for just about anything. She came up with the concept of a higher level of giving to non-profits that she named Patron, and was responsible for the term's adoption at Wellesley College Friends of Art as well as the Bard College Music Festival, among others. She served for many years on the National Committee of Wellesley College Friends of Art, as well as Chair of the New York Friends of Art. She was a long-time member of the Cosmopolitan Club in New York City and the Edgewood Club in Tivoli, NY. Paula accomplished many things in her life but what she will be most remembered for was her love of life. She was fiercely passionate in her love for her daughters and grandchildren, for Eliot, for her extended family and her late cousin Kathe, for the extraordinary female friendships she forged, for art, for politics, for dogs and champagne to toast life's moments big and small. She celebrated moments like no other. She deeply cared for everyone's individual stories and was one of the all-time great listeners. Her infectious laugh will be remembered by everyone who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Eliot Hawkins, her daughters Jane Lipsitz and Alexandra Lipsitz, her son-in- law Paul Stephan, grandchildren Dylan and Scarlett Stephan and Sophia Chuites. She is also survived by her step- daughter Ruthanna Hawkins, her step-sisters Robin Blake and Stephanie Hibler, and her step- grandchildren Rory Budney, Claire and Eliot Hawkins. Contributions in her name can be made to Wellesley Friends of Art or the Bard College Music Festival or charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at a time to be determined.