Barbara Jean Hawkins of Winnemucca, fondly known to many as “Miss Jean,” passed away Saturday, April 25, 2015 at age 82.
Jean was born in Ontario, Oregon on October 2, 1932 to Rosio and Dorothea (Cox) Echave.
She spent most of her active childhood on the family’s Buffalo Ranch south of Orovada. Jean was schooled at St. Teresa’s Academy in Boise, Idaho then graduated from Humboldt County High School in Winnemucca in 1950. On August 13, 1950 she married Harold “Halle” Hawkins in Winnemucca where they made their home and raised their two children, Harold and Dori.
Jean lived her entire adult life in Winnemucca. She fondly remembered her first job downtown at the soda fountain in the Corner Drug, and she later worked in the family business, Winnemucca Laundry and Dry Cleaners, with Halle, Cecil and Doris Hawkins.
After her children were out of college and on their own, Jean seized the opportunity to travel. She first spent time with her daughter on excursions to neighboring states, then in the 1980s and 90s she traveled more widely in the US, Canada and beyond. She particularly enjoyed cruises with friends to the Carribean islands, Mexico, South America and the Panama Canal, Alaska and Canada, Hawaii, Australia and the Mediterranean. Her later years were spent living quietly in Winnemucca enjoying family, friends and her pets.
Jean is survived by her son Harold Hawkins and wife Kerry of Winnemucca, daughter Dori and husband Robert Tackitt of Reno, grandson Brian Tackitt of Reno, cousins Jerry Legarza and wife Ginger of Las Vegas, John Legarza and wife Gretchen of Reno, Bobby Rosevear and wife Judy of Elko, Frank Echave and wife Sharon of Fallon and David Cox and wife Donna of Ontario, Oregon. Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Halle in 1984, her parents, Rosio & Dorothea and many of her cousins on both the Echave and Cox sides of the family.
At Jean’s request, there will be no funeral services. A gathering for family and friends to honor and remember Jean will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, P.O. Box 843, Winnemucca, NV 89446. Arrangements by Sonoma Funeral Home.
