Obituary of Marilyn Johnson Hawken
Marilyn Johnson Hawken, 94, died on January 7, 2024 in Glastonbury, Connecticut. She was born on December 29, 1929 in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania to Arthur and Alice Johnson. She attended Fairview High School, Fairview Park, Ohio, and graduated in 1951 from Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio with a degree in education. Marilyn took great pride and enjoyment in her career as an elementary school teacher.
She was married to E. Robert Hawken, Jr. for 63 years until his death in 2015. Marilyn and Bob met at Wittenberg during their first year of college and they were blessed with a deeply loving marriage. They raised their three children in the Cleveland area, and later retired to Nokomis, Florida.
Marilyn was a beautiful person – inside and out. She was an active church member, a volunteer at local schools and community organizations, and she contributed to numerous charities. Favorite pastimes included reading, attending the symphony and theater, and playing bridge, golf, and tennis. Over the decades, Marilyn treasured her many friendships.
Survivors include her children, Sue Murphy and her husband Tim of Powell, OH, Jane Hawken and her husband David Taylor of Glastonbury, CT, and Jim Hawken and his wife Connie of Ft. Wayne, IN. She leaves her cherished grandchildren Emily Taylor (Mike McCall), Meg Taylor (Phil Mitchell), Kevin Murphy, Natalie Hawken, Kerry Hawken, and her precious great-granddaughter, Alice McCall. In addition, she leaves her step-grandson Brendan Murphy and his wife Nikki and their children Rylee, Jameson, and Grady. Marilyn is survived by her brother Allan (Eden) Johnson of Seattle, WA, her sister-in-law Pat (Jack, deceased) Hawken of Largo, FL, and her dear nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to the Buckingham Heights staff for their care and compassion. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on February 24, 2024 at Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice, FL. Memorial donations may be made to Venice Presbyterian Church, 825 The Rialto, Venice, FL 34285 (earmarked Memorial Garden) or to the Community West Foundation, 800 Sharon Drive, Suite C, Westlake, OH 44145. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com