It is with sadness that the family of Geraldine “Gerri” Barbara Hawks announces her passing in Poughkeepsie, NY on April 26, 2021 at the age of 88.
Gerri was born in Trenton, NJ on January 10, 1933 to the late Alexander and Mary Stacewicz. She lived in Trenton with her extended family until her marriage to Bernard Hawks in 1955, when they relocated to Pennington, NJ. They raised a family in Pennington and Gerri resided there until June of 2020.
Gerri attended school in Trenton and graduated with a teaching degree from Trenton State Teachers College in 1955. She furthered her education, receiving a Master’s Degree in Special Education in 1979, also from Trenton State Teachers College. For most of her teaching career, Gerri taught special education to 8th graders at the HopewellValley Central Junior High School and wasthe recipient of the NJGovernor’s Teacher of the Year Award. At her retirement ceremony in 2003, her colleagues, who affectionately called her “Mom,” described her as a passionate, caring teacher.
Gerri will be lovingly remembered and is survived by her four children, Candace McAlinden, Linda Driver, Bruce Hawks and Pamela Hawks, their spouses and her nine grandchildren. Gerri was predeceased by Bernard Hawks, her loving husband of 40 years.
Memorial donations may be made in celebration of Gerri’slife to the Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or the charity of your choice.