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Lea Hawley Obituary
Lea was born in Madison, NJ, on January 8, 1959, the daughter of Mary (Kasica) Bartkiewicz and the late Ted Bartkiewicz. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Worcester State College and was employed at Device Technologies in Marlborough, before leaving due to illness in 2008.
Lea was an avid runner and physical fitness advocate, and worked part-time as a certified aerobics instructor at the Greendale YMCA for 17 years. She adored her family and friends and was happiest when entertaining and cooking - always making people feel welcome. Lea remained positive, kind and outgoing throughout her illness, never complaining or losing her love for life.
Lea's family would like to give special thanks to Dr. David Shepro and Michelle Proos at Commonwealth Oncology for the care, compassion and support given to Lea and her family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. The funeral service for Lea will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 11th, in the funeral home. Burial will be private in St. Philip's Cemetery, Grafton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure, Inc., 1770 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036.
www.milesfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lea Hawley
S & K King
March 16, 2009
Dear Peter,
My husband Steve and I wish to convey our deepest sympathies to you and your family at the passing of Lea. We met you and Lea a few years back at the 140 Rendezvous, playing pool. We shared the table for a few games and struck up a conversation. We were both on our Harleys so we took a ride and had a night cap at the Wong Dynasty. We exchanged phone numbers and never got around to calling. Im sorry that we missed that opportunity to get to know you better. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your children.
Steve and Kathy King
janice schlickman
March 15, 2009
I met Lea at the Y, so many years ago. I was morbidly obese and feeling pretty discouraged. Lea welcomed me to her class, and gave me a place to reach for health and have fun.
There were days when it was just Lea and me. (This was before she acquired her passionate following.)
Lea did the whole class just for me.
It was at a time when I could have gone either way, towards life or death.
Lea pulled me towards life.
I remember how much she loved running, and how she would do it whenever she could. In the beginning, I couldn't do much, but every time Lea passed me on the track, she would urge me on, in some sweet and/or teasing way. As I grew stronger, I was able to do a few laps with her and I loved hearing about her dogs, her family, the pool.
It made me want to keep up with her.
When I had my stroke and was diagnosed with RA, I was out a lot. It was hard to come back, but knowing Lea and her class would be there waiting, helped. And every time I came back, Lea always checked in with me, always cared.
She had a great class, one that got even better as time went on, with her taking almost too much pleasure in finding new and exciting ways to work us hard. But, we loved it. She was smart, too. She knew if you worked the abs first, you'd be less fatigued and able to work them more efficiently.
I'm healthy and fit now. And every time I do one of the exercises Lea taught me, I feel her with me, and am grateful for what she gave me.
To her family, I am so very sorry for your loss. What happened to Lea was just so wrong. I have never met anyone with more vitality, more of a will to live. But, her ripples will continue in the lives of those she touched, especially those she helped save, like me.
Lynn Harding-Smith
March 12, 2009
Dear Peter,
I was on my way to Tremblant Ontario, and was reading the Sunday paper when I saw Lea's obituary, even though I knew she was fighting for her life,, it still came as a shock I remember all the fun we had together, before and after Paul, Id love accidently bumping into you two at local restaurants!
At least , You two made the best of the time you had!
Sorry I wasnt there, please feel free to stop by or call, you know where I live!
So sorry for you and your family!
In my thoughts, Love ya!
allie meehan
March 9, 2009
amazing woman, you guys are in my thoughts, definitely touched my life for the better
Francis Saxton
March 9, 2009
Chris, Betty and I will keep you in our prayers. Give your Mom a hug for me. Grandpa
Nicholas Spring
March 9, 2009
You will always be in our thoughts!! R.I.P
Bob and Kathy McQuade
March 9, 2009
No words can express the loss of such a bright light amongst us. We will always remember the elegant dinners we shared, the rides to nowhere on the bikes and her smile with the ever present humor she shared. With our sincerest condolences we will miss her. Our hearts and prayers are with your family.
Linda Rosenlund
March 9, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Don MacKay
March 8, 2009
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Ernie Johnson
March 8, 2009
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you Pete and your family, please know that you are all in our prayers. God Bless you all with His love and care, and may He ease your pain with His beautiful Grace as time passes.
Love,
Ernie and Gail Johnson
Eileen Brophy Dodd
March 8, 2009
Lea was a special friend and I will always remember the great times we had together. Her laughter and sense of humor was always so upbeat. No trip back to Worcester was ever complete without visiting Lea. I will cherish the day last summer that we spent together sipping wine, laughing and reminiscing. I can also take comfort in knowing the last words we said to eachother were "I Love You".
Kirsti, Joe & Dori Walent
March 8, 2009
Dear Peter, Jeffrey, Lindsey and Daniel, we are so saddened by your loss and send our condolences to all of you. Please know that Lea was a special person to us as you all are. We had some great times with our families going camping and just hanging around. Lea was always the life of the "party" and we will all miss her dearly. Please know that if there is anything we can do we are a phone call away. With all of our love.
Barb
March 8, 2009
I am saddened to hear of Lea's passing. Having worked at the front desk @ the Greendale YMCA, I encountered Lea many, many times. Her smile was contagious, and she always had a kind word to say. She was one of my favorite people there, and I know her aerobics clients loved her.
Please know you are all in my thoughts & prayers. May Lea's memory be eternal.
Jane Richards
March 8, 2009
Peter, I am so sorry to hear about Lea. I live out of state now in Maine and didn't know she had cancer. Please accept my sincere sympathy! I can't imagine how heart breaking this must be for your family.
Jane Richards
Karen Bartkiewicz
March 8, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. I am grateful for the time I knew Lea. She brought so much joy to the lives of those she knew. Lea always busted me about the mop I
ordered from a commercial on TV and she bought it at a store that was half the price. Lea had a great sense of humer and a loving heart. She loved her animals as well. I will miss her dearly. I share your pain and will always be here for all of you.
With much love and sympathy
Karen
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