Irma Hawkins Perry, passed away November 21, 2020 at home with family in Newark, Ohio. Irma was born January 29, 1925 to Arvid and Elvira Maijala in Herman, Michigan. She grew to be a beautiful, spirited woman in Waukegan, Illinois and was an immensely proud Finnish American. She raised her family in Alexandria, Ohio where she made lifelong friends, was a park board member for approximately forty years and she always called it home. She loved the arts and had a rich life full of dancing to polkas and singing along with Carlos Santana, but her passion was painting. She is well known in galleries locally as well as in her previous residence in Winter Haven, Florida. She was an award-winning member of many art groups and started her own, Hawkins-Perry Studios with her beloved husband Arthur Perry. Even though her portraits hang from Finland to Scotland she was not content, stating in her last weeks that she was still going to paint the “masterpiece of all masterpieces”. Irma is preceded in death by her late husband Earl “Bus” Hawkins and grandson Michael Hawkins. She is survived by current spouse, Arthur Perry (daughters Gina Perry and Lisa Mulholland), sisters Agnes Eisler and Martha Batassa, six loving children, Larry Hawkins, Bryan “Steve” Hawkins (Patty), Cathy Chapman (Rod), Earl “Bill” Hawkins (Janie), Arin Hawkins (Betsy) and Tom Hawkins (Stephanie). Irma leaves behind twenty grandchildren Kyle Hawkins, Steve Hawkins, Wendy Kaho, Kelly Coulter, Arika Danes, Justin Hawkins, Natalie Hawkins, Traci Hawkins, Bill Hawkins, Lisa Allen, Joseph Chapman, Hannah Moyer, Ben Roese, Bo Hawkins, Ryan Lott, Rachel Lott, Audrey Hawkins Grubb, Zachary Hawkins, Jessica Mulholland and Samantha Mulholland. She also leaves behind nineteen great grandchildren. Irma loved her family, and in her heart, she was mother to many more. Special thanks to loving caregivers, Debbie Compton, the wonderful staff at Interim Hospice and longtime friend and advisor Ketha Robbins. Services will be held eleven o’clock Saturday morning November 28, 2020 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Alexandria, Ohio. Donations can be made to Hospice of Central Ohio 2269 Cherry Valley Rd. SE Newark, Ohio 43055, Licking County Arts Association 50 S. Second St Newark Ohio 43055 or Alexandria Park Board c/o Jim Jasper 58 E. Main St Alexandria, Ohio 43001.
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