(Sister Francine Marie)
Sister Mary Frances Hawkins (Sister Francine Marie), age 84, a Sister of Providence for 63 years, died June 16, 2024 at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle.
Sister Mary was born a twin with her brother Larry (Lawrence) on March 4, 1940 in Tacoma, Washington to parents Albert and Magdelena (Weiss) Hawkins. She was the first born of four children, including brothers Steve and Don. Her father was a teacher and later a smelter worker during World War II. Her mother, known as “Mack” was a homemaker who loved to read and learn, and ran a small neighborhood grocery.
Sister Mary grew up in a family full of love, instilled with religion, community and learning. Sister Mary once reflected, “If I could be half as loving as my mother was, and is, and my father continues to be, I would consider my life a success.”
After high school ay St. Leo’s in Tacoma, Sister Mary worked at Boeing for a year. She enjoyed attending Mass, and recognizing feast and holy days, which created a peace within her and a calmness that was a special grace. She entered the Sisters of Providence community in 1959, became a Novice in 1960, received First Vows in 1963 and Final Vows in 1967.
She earned a BA in Education from Seattle University in 1967; a teacher certificate in 1969; and a Masters in Education/Curriculum from University of Oregon in 1972. She also earned educational certificates in counseling, spiritual theology and ministry, and clinical pastoral education.
Sister Mary ministered as a teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes Grade School, Vancouver, Washington; Holy Family School, Seattle; St. Catherine School, Seattle; St. Finbar School, Burbank, California; and Providence High School where she also served as an assistant vice-principal, and academic vice-principal.
She ministered on the community’s Formation Team (1979-82) and served in community leadership (1983-89). After ministering at Providence High School, Sister Mary moved from Burbank to Seattle in 2009 and continued to serve on the Board of Regents for Providence High School and on the Community Ministry Board for Providence St. Joseph Health.
Sister Mary will be remembered fondly for her compassion, loving presence, wonderful sense of humor, intelligence, and as a mentor and an unwavering advocate for young people, social justice, the poor, and her Providence community. She was thankful for her community and knew being a Sister of Providence was a way of life.
She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Lawrence and Steve. She is survived by her brother Don and sister-in-law, Judye, many loving nieces and nephews, and her religious community.