SOUTH PARIS — Beatrice Eugenie Hawley, 88, of Tirrell Avenue, Mechanic Falls, died Friday, April 22, with her family at her side.

She was born on May 31, 1922, in Martinville, Quebec, a daughter of the late Joseph and Eugenie Rancourt Beaudry, and was educated in local schools.

On June 1, 1940, she married Royce H. Hawley, and together they had three children, Donald, Larry and Debra.

Mrs. Hawley (Bea) worked for many years in the shoe industry in Lewiston and Auburn, then moved on to the Auburn school system doing what she loved to do best, baking. After working at Sherwood Heights for a number of years, she moved up to what was CMVTI at the time, primarily as a baker. Bea was known to have been able to whip up four delicious apple pies and have them in the oven within 20 minutes.

She retired in 1987 and lived comfortably in her own home in Auburn. Shortly thereafter, her friend, Pauline, was to become her traveling companion, going back and forth between Florida in the winter and Auburn in the summer. They traveled to many places including Hawaii, Mississippi and other places, having fun going to shows and gambling small amounts of money. When they were home in Auburn, they spent lots of time knitting afghans and dish cloths for their families. During the years they spent their winters in Florida, they enjoyed “Christmas in July” here in Maine at a family outing with as many as 50 family members. Bea loved having her family around her as much as possible. For years, they all got together on Sunday morning for breakfast and there would be as many as 15 people at one time with hilarious laughter filling the house.

Surviving are two sons, Donald Hawley, and his wife, Marilyn, of Mechanic Falls, and Larry Hawley, and his wife, Lucille, of Minot; her daughter, Debra Morin, and her husband, Ron, of Auburn; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and eight  great-great-grandchildren.

Grammie, Gram, or Nini as she was called, will be sadly missed by all.

Mrs. Hawley was predeceased by her husband, Royce, on Nov. 12, 1979; sisters, Bertha Castonguay and Fabiola Rodrigue; a brother, Armand Beaudry; and her dear friend and traveling companion, Pauline Babbit.

The family is especially thankful for the special care that was given by Beacon Hospice, and would like to especially mention Carol and Beth. Also to Beatrice’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sharon Alexander, Wendy Hess, Michael Hawley, Brian Hawley, and the kindness of Matt Hess and his fiancee, Kaitlynn Holman; and finally, to Bea’s son, Don, and his wife, Marilyn, for taking her into their home to live with them for the last year so she didn’t have to be in a nursing home.

Thoughts, condolences and fond memories may be shared with Bea’s family by visiting their guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

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