Linda L. Hawkins

A graveside service for Linda L. Hawkins will be held June 14, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at South Lawn Cemetery with Pastor Rube Gayheart officiating.

Linda L. Hawkins, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, neighbor, avid gardener and dog-lover, passed away on December 24, 2013 at age 75 in her Fairfax home of 43 years. She battled breathing challenges associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Born July 23, 1938 in Newark, Ohio, Linda called Utica, Ohio home until attending The Ohio State University, graduating in 1962 with a B.S. in Pharmacy. On November 18, 1962, Linda married her college classmate James (Jim) Hawkins. Shortly thereafter, the newlywed pharmacist couple was called upon by the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to be part of the American Red Cross team sent to Cuba during the Bay of Pigs negotiations, where they played a role in the exchange of food and medicine for prisoners. A few years later, utilizing both her pharmaceutical knowledge and her astute grammarian talent, she co-edited several editions of the Handbook of Non-Prescription Drugs, published by APhA. She was also a licensed pharmacist in Washington, DC before becoming a mother. After her children were grown, Linda worked in the family printing business.

Linda had a friendly demeanor, a welcoming smile, an endearing giggle, and she simply had one of those kind faces that often drew strangers at the grocery store to strike up conversations. If the house was quiet and the weather was warm, Linda was likely in the backyard: she might be watering her assortment of flowers; trekking to the compost accompanied by her succession of Shelties; or tending to her beloved garden of tomatoes, green beans, squash, snow peas and herbs.

She read books and newspapers, and brainteasers were her specialty: crossword puzzles, word finds, cryptograms, you name it. She also liked to knit and crochet, even crocheting a "Grandma Blanket" for each of her grandchildren. Linda's kids and grandkids were an integral part of her life. Whether it was making doll clothes and chocolate-covered pretzels or attending travel soccer games and high school volleyball matches, she was especially invested in their lives.

Linda served St. Georges United Methodist Church in a number of capacities. When her children were young, she taught Sunday School. Later she served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, the Evangelism Work Area and several Every-Member-Commitment campaigns.

The daughter of the late Frank and Lucille Lynn, Linda is survived by her husband of 51 years, James Hawkins; son, David Hawkins, and his wife, Connie; daughter, Lynn Fairfax, and her husband, Scott; seven grandchildren, Marcela, Kali, Ben and Liliana Hawkins and Melissa, Robert and Elizabeth Fairfax; sister-in-law, Joyce Richard Akey, and her husband, Gene; niece, Diane Allerdyce, and her husband, Rory Spearing; nephew, Dan Richard; and many other relatives and friends.

Visit www.law-bakerfuneralhome to extend condolences to the family.

Law-Baker Funeral Home, 34 N. Main St., Utica is assisting the family with local arrangements.