Obituary of Rebecca Hawkes

Rebecca Keith Hawkes of Jacksonville, FL passed away on December 18, 2009. She was the daughter of the late Norma West Keith and Arthur V. Keith. She was born August 19, 1924 in Clinton, New York and graduated from Clinton Central High School. She attended Rollins College where she was a scholarship student of the late Diva, Madame Louise Homer. She continued her studies as a vocal scholar with Friedrich Schorr. She was also an accomplished flutist.



Rebecca gave many concerts throughout New York, New England and Florida and served as a contralto soloist in several churches in New England. She and her husband moved to Jacksonville n 1980. She worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine for 17 years.



She was a past-president of the Jacksonville Fine Arts Forum, a past member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Jacksonville Chapter, and past secretary of the Richard Warren Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants.



She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Robert, a son, Richard (Dawn) of Coto de Caza, California and a daughter, Diantha (Don) Grant of Jacksonville. We will miss Becky's sense of humor and contagious laugh.

Arrangements are being made by Arlington Park and Funeral Home. A memorial service will be (tentatively) held on Saturday, January 9, 2010 and a graveside service will be held at Chase Cemetery in South Windham, Maine during the summer.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in her memory to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32606 or the Alzheimer's Association 4237 Salisbury Road, Suite 310, Jacksonville, FL 32216. And special thanks to the staff of Memorial Hospital of Jacksonville, 5 South, for their help and support.