Mary Geraldine Hawley

Mary was born on March 31, 1939, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, to Jabez Loring Rayner and Margaret Hazel (Pickering) Rayner. She attended Central Lot 16 and Summerside High School, graduating in 1960 from the Prince Edward Island School of Nursing in Charlottetown. In 1962, she earned a diploma in Public Health Nursing from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Mary devoted 25 years to her work as a registered nurse and public health nurse with the Nova Scotia Department of Public Health. In later years, she specialized in neonatal and maternal care in the Truro area and delivered numerous lectures on public health. Throughout her distinguished career, she received several honours, including two Nova Scotia Civil Service Awards and the Province of Nova Scotia Public Service Award upon her retirement in 1994.

Mary met her husband, James (Jim) Earle Hawley II, on June 12, 1963, at Sackville Downs Raceway on a blind date. They were married at Saint Andrew’s United Church in Halifax on November 9, 1963. Together they built a life rich in laughter, road trips, and shared meals. Jim lovingly called her his “beautiful bride” and always carried her photo with him.

Mary cherished annual shopping trips to Maine, visits to Pictou for concerts and fresh seafood, and weekend stays at the Oak Island Inn. She loved dancing, entertaining family and friends, and was often known as the perfect host. Deeply connected to nature, she delighted in watching and feeding the white-tailed deer and birds that gathered in her backyard. A warm and social person, Mary treasured long conversations with friends and family and remained especially close to her siblings, making many trips to Prince Edward Island and Pictou County to be with them. In later years, her greatest joy was caring for her two grandchildren, whose early childhood she was grateful to share. Mary’s kindness, warmth, and gentle spirit will be deeply missed.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Jim; her sister, Melda Harriett (Rayner) MacBeth; and her brother-in-law, Colin MacBeth.

Mary is survived by her children, James Earle Hawley III (Karen), Robert Hawley, and Anna Hawley; and by her beloved grandchildren, Marin Beth Hawley and James (Jay) Earle Hawley IV. She is also survived by her siblings, Margaret Irene Collicut (Wesley), Jabez Loring Rayner II (Judy), and William Robert Rayner (Beverley).

She will be fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, former colleagues, and the countless friends and neighbours whose lives she touched with her generous and friendly spirit.