Jean Ann (Thomas) Hawes, 94, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, died January 7, 2022, at St. Paul’s Senior Living Community. Born in Clarence, New York on August 12, 1927, Jean was the only child of John Archibald Thomas and Anna Mary (Cranmer) Thomas. Jean grew up in Clarence, New York; Chicago, Illinois; and Meadville, Pennsylvania; and spent summers with her grandparents and extended family in West Creek, New Jersey. Jean attended high school in Meadville and graduated from Allegheny College in 1948 with a bachelor's degree in English and Literature.
Jean was employed by the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad in Greenville, Pennsylvania prior to her marriage to John Charles (Jack) Hawes, also a graduate of Allegheny College and Greenville resident, in 1950. Jean and Jack lived in Pittsburgh and Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, before settling in the Hawes family home on Second Avenue in Greenville to raise their family.
Jean was an early example of a strong, independent, and confident woman. A lifelong learner, her passion was sharing her love of literature and the arts with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Always gracious and kind, with a quick wit, Jean was loved and cherished by her family and friends.
She volunteered with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and the Greenville Public Library. Jean was employed by the Greenville Hospital in the Medical Records Department for nearly 20 years. Upon her retirement, Jean relocated to New Bern, North Carolina, where she enjoyed the beaches and sunshine. She was active in the community, volunteering and serving on the advisory boards of the New Bern Historical Society and the Friends of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library, serving as President for many years. Jean purchased an historic home, the Bishop House, in New Bern and loved maintaining the home and showing the house on the historic home tours.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, and her sons, Richard Thomas (Tom) Hawes, of New York, New York, and William Christopher (Chris) Hawes, of Houston, Texas. She is survived by her children; John Scott (Scott) Hawes of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Mary Ann Evans (Hawes) and her husband Bill, of Hermitage, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth Catherine (Cate) Geiwitz (Hawes) and her husband Larry, of Transfer, Pennsylvania; and Maureen Margaret (Peg) Geary (Hawes) and her husband John, of Santa Rosa, California.
Jean is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christopher and his wife Rachel (Klein) Hawes of Blue Grass, Iowa; Caroline Hawes and her partner Carlos Lopez of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Matthew Hawes of Brooklyn, New York, children of Chris and Cathleen (Cleary) Hawes; Sam Evans of Denver, Colorado and Andy Evans of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, children of Mary Ann and Bill Evans; Ian Geary and Merrit Geary both of Bozeman, Montana, children of John and Peg Geary. Jean is also survived by two great grandchildren, Rowan and Elowen, daughters of Christopher and Rachel Hawes.
Memorial donations may be made in Jean’s name to your local public library, the New Bern – Craven County Public Library or Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Private family services will be held in West Creek, New Jersey at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Loutzenhise-Jordan Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 366-368 S. Main St. Greenville, PA.
I worked with Jean in medical records. She was a wonderful person and mentor My sincerest condolences. Carla. Myers
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Jean and Jack were good friends of my family. So sorry for your loss.
Dear Hawes family, I am terribly sorry for your loss. But I hope you celebrate Jean’s life. What a hero! She was a woman of grace and dignity. But mostly what I recall was that for your Tommy she was a rock–an unwavering source of love. In my years as the town rebel she never once showed me anything other than compassion and warmth. Lon Bollenbacher joked that most of the parents referred to me as ‘that-McKenna-kid’, the one to keep their kids away from. But Jean only showed me kindness and saw the best in me. I recall the last time we spoke at Tommy’s memorial service. She asked me to send her Christmas cards and remember her at the holidays, which I always did. And I still have many of the cards she sent me. I love you all Hawes family, because Tommy did. As it goes in the Bob Dylan song, may God bless and keep you healthy.
To all of the Hawes” – I want to share my warm memories of your Mom as well. Chris and I were in the same class and dated. Whenever I’d stop by the house, Jean was always so welcoming and kind. With all the activity of six kids in the house, she always had time to talk with us and share what was going on. She was proud of each one of her children and recognized their unique interests and talents. She was unassuming despite her many skills and talents. She was a good woman .