Esther R. Hawkins

Esther R. Hawkins, 82, died Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the DuBois Nursing Home. She was the loving wife of James R. Hawkins, whom she married on August 22, 1958. He preceded her in death on April 25, 1986.

Born on February 21, 1928 to Rev. John L. and Irene (McLaughlin) Robison in Port Royal, PA.

Esther graduated from Altoona High School . She received her Bachelor of Music from Grove City College. She went on to do graduate work at Penn State and Ohio State Universities.

She began her teaching career at Juniata Valley, then came to DuBois in 1952 where she taught music in the Junior and Senior High School's for 37 years. For 11 years she acted as chairperson of the DuBois Area Schools' Music Department. During her productive tenure, she inaugurated the high school show choir, "The Dynamics", and established the custom of presenting Broadway musicals in the school system beginning with "Annie Get Your Gun". A festival for five area show choirs saw fulfillment under her sponsorship.

In 1968, she was cited as DuBois' Teacher of The Year by the DuBois Area Education Association and received the singular honor of being named an outstanding music educator in America in 1974. She was further recognized in 1987 when she was awarded the Citation of Excellence by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

For 13 years she directed music for, or stared in, United Way musical productions. She was musical director of "Showcase of Stars" at the Paul G. Reitz Theater featuring returning professional and non-professional musicians, many of whom were her former students. In 1997 she was musical director for "A Night at the Oscars: The Great Musicals", the cooperative effort between the Reitz Theater and the DuBois Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.

As a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in DuBois, she served as a Deaconess, music director and Chancel Choir director.

She served on the boards of directors of Cultural Resources, Inc. and the Community Concert Association of which she was Director Emeritus. She was a member of the National Education Association, the DuBois Area Schools Retired Teachers Association, the Psi Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma, the American Association of University Women, Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, Clearfield County Association of School Retirees, Music Educators National Conference and the American Choral Directors Association.

She is survived by a grand nephew, John Crockett and a grand niece, Amanda Robison, both of Tulsa, OK.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers; James L. and John C. Robison, and a neice: Samantha Crockett.

A funeral service will be at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the First United Presbyterian Church with Reverend Sarah E. Ott and Reverend A. J. Wilson co-officiating. Friends will be received on Monday, January 24, 2011 from 2 to 4:00pm and 7 to 9:00pm at the Mohney-Yargar Funeral Chapel. An additional viewing will be held on Tuesday at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:30am. Burial will be in Morningside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the the First United Presbyterian Church, 43 W. Scribner Ave., DuBois, PA 15801, the Paul G. Reitz Theater, 36 E. Scribner Ave., DuBois, PA 15801 or a charity of the donor's choice.

On-line condolences may be made to www.mohney-yargarfuneralchapel.com or www.mem.com.