Roberta Dearing Hawthorne

Roberta (Bobbie) Hawthorne was born on September 5, 1925 in Bowling Green Kentucky to Euclid Dearing and Mary West.  Roberta was the ninth of ten children, including her twin brother, Robert.  Euclid, Elizabeth (Sis), Susie, Johnny, Marguerite, Mary Francis (Pam), Mabel, Robert, Roberta and Emily all grew up on a farm in a small community, making it hard to get into too much trouble.  As a young adult, Bobbie left her home and lived in Indiana where she worked at an aircraft manufacturer as a drafter during the second world war.  Soon, she ventured east and landed in Philadelphia where she met Paul H. Hawthorne, thanks to her roommate standing him up for a date.  She and Paul married June 15, 1947 at her family’s farm.  They had two sons, William Henry, born August 16, 1949 and Paul Thomas, born May 4, 1954.  Since Paul (Pop) was in the Army, the family moved frequently from state to state and even spent two tours in Germany.  Bobbie and Pop took advantage of being overseas and traveled around Europe.  On June 3, 1975 Pop lost his battle with cancer.  In the following years, Bobbie took up golf and bowling, keeping herself active.  In 1987, she met Theo (Ted) Griffen and soon the two were traveling the country in their RV.  They became snowbirds, spending their winters in Arizona.  In January 2002, Ted passed away.  In the past 11 years, Bobbie spent her time closer to home.  She enjoyed tending to her house and always had a project going.  She also enjoyed taking her various kids and grandkids to lunch at their “favorite” places.  Her holiday meals always included ham and the person sitting next to her was guaranteed to get very big helpings.  Bobbie was a spirited woman who didn’t much care for following the rules.  She was unconventional, organized, practical, a little rough around the edges and she loved her family.  She will be greatly missed.  

She is survived by her sister, Mary Francis (Pam), her oldest son, William and wife, Stella, her youngest son, Paul and wife, Mary, 6 grandchildren and their families, Kelly and Matt, Hilary and Bob, Krista, Alexandria and Kyle, Jessica, Matthew and one great grandson, Cameron.  Bobbie, was expecting her second great grandchild, a girl, at the end of March.  She is also survived by numerous beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. 

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 10:15 am at the Fort Logan National Cemetery (Staging area C). 

Family & friends are encouraged to share stories, photographs as well as sign Roberta's guest book here on her website. (click appropriate tab above)