- Recorder Online - https://www.berthoudrecorder.com -

Obituary: Gwen Hopkins Hawley

 

[1]

Gwen Hawley passed away July 1, 2012 at McKee Medical Center – Loveland, Colorado. She was born June 11, 1926 in Orofino, Idaho to Dr. Richard and Gladys (Moore) Hopkins. She was the second of two children with an older brother Dick Hopkins.

The quenching of her lifelong thirst for knowledge began in the public elementary school system of Orofino, Idaho continuing through her freshman year of high school. She then transferred to Saint Paul’s School where her passion for the arts that started as a young girl was cultivated as a thespian, violinist and pianist. Her love of literature and proficiency of the English language was further honed at SPS by the time of her graduation. She attended Oregon State College – Corvallis, Oregon for one year before returning to Idaho to attend the University of Idaho through her junior year.

She married World War II veteran William L. Hawley before attaining her degree and moved to Sacramento, California. After Bill acquired his degree and the birth of their first son, Richard, they moved back to the Hawley family farming operation in southern Idaho. She was a dedicated farm wife and mother to her two sons until the younger son John was well established in elementary school. Because of her love of literature and the desire to be close to her sons she took a position as the librarian for the Melba, Idaho school system.

She went to work as a librarian for the Weld County Library system after the family sold their farming interests and moved to Greeley, Colorado. During this period she also earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Gwen then moved to Fort Collins, Colorado where she took the position of librarian / media specialist for Fort Collins High School. During this period she attained her Master’s Degree from Colorado State University.

She retired from a long and fruitful career at Fort Collins High School to find herself anxious to continue to learn and be a viable part of society. After exploring several options she went to work for her son John at High Country Proco in Berthoud, Colorado. She soon became recognized by that company’s employees, clients and vendors as an important part of the operation. It didn’t take long before she was involved with the Berthoud Library where she served for several years on the board of directors. She became acquainted with John’s network of friends who quickly grew to also be her friends.

Gwen thoroughly enjoyed this time of her life. She was able to be productive as evidenced by the fact she was still employed at the time of her death. She was still learning, if she didn’t know something she would research until she did and just a year ago enrolled in some online business classes to “keep her mind sharp”. Most important of all she was close to her son and many friends that she loved very much!

Gwen is survived by her son, Richard Hawley and wife Deanna of Greeley; son, John Hawley of Berthoud; grandson, Chad Hawley of Greeley; granddaughter, Wende Younger of Monument; three great grand children Beau, Jaydn (Greeley) and Brendon (Monument); Sister-in-law, Helen Hopkins of Portland, Oregon.

Memorial Services will be held at the Allnutt Funeral Home – 2100 North Lincoln – Loveland, Colorado at 2:00PM July 11, 2012.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation, in Gwen’s name, to the Berthoud Library District – PO BOX 1259 – Berthoud, Colorado 80513.

Interment in the Berthoud Greenlawn Cemetery.

Condolences may be left at Allnutt Funeral Home. [2]