Marion Hawkins flew to spirit world on Friday November 16, 2012. She lived a long life to the fullest, was loved by many, and was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on February 20, 1928. Her parents were Dorothy and General George E. R. Smith, who served in World War II and enjoyed a distinguished career in the Canadian army.
After graduating Carleton College in Ottawa with a degree in journalism, Marion hosted her own radio talk show called "Fact and Fancy" in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where she was well known for her witty and inspirational stories. Friends who knew her in those early years describe her as a sparkling personality who embraced each day to the fullest. This love of life was a thread that wove a beautiful tapestry of a life truly lived.
In 1952 she married Russell A. Hawkins, an American photographer with the U. S. Navy. They moved to the United States where her son Cole and daughter Julie were born. Marion continued her work as a reporter with the Quincy Patriot Ledger for several years until she found yet another creative outlet as a costume designer for a number of theaters, including Baxter Costumes, Turtle Lane Playhouse, Quincy Dinner Theater, Curtain Call Theater, Hingham Civic Music Theater, and Show Stoppers, all in the greater Boston area. For more than thirty years she designed thousands of costumes for more than 500 shows. She was also the president of Hingham Civic Music Theater for many years. Yet another career success found Marion sharing her cooking talents as a chef at St. Paul's Church in Hingham and The Bellarmine House in Cohasset. Over the years, she satisfied many a palate with her exotic flavorings for foods. In fact, someone once commented that Marion was seen flavoring the stew on the stove while sewing a belly dancer's costume on the side. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was forever finding the bright side of life.
Her talents were many, almost as many as her friends - a vast array of dear friends from all walks of life who remained close to her for many years. Marion's love of life and friends also included a great love of animals, including an assortment of dogs and cats and her chinchilla, nicknamed "Peach". She thoroughly enjoyed the years she volunteered at the Scituate Animal Shelter.
Marion is survived by husband Russell, who lives on Cape Cod, daughter Julie and son Cole and his wife Claudette and three grandchildren, Colby, Ashley, and Wesley; her brother Victor Smith, his wife Val and daughter Tani. Other close family members include Johnny Parent, Eric Cunningham, Bobby Parent, Adam Parent, and Monique Parent.
Marion lived a life filled with many devoted friends, family, and loved ones. She will forever live on as one remembered with brightness.
A celebration of her life will take place at The River Club on Border Street, in Scituate on Sunday, November 25, at 1 pm.
Please bring any stories and/or photos to share, and if you would like to feed the animals as she fed so many with her fabulous cooking and generous spirit, please bring a donation of pet food. The Scituate Animal Shelter wish list includes Friskies, Fancy Feast, and Small Biltes. Whatever you choose to give will be much appreciated by the adorable "residents" of the shelter. Surely Marion will be smiling on angels wings knowing she was able to feed the animals.
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