Rosa Mae Swainston Hawkes

Rosa Mae (Swainston) Hawkes, age 89, passed away on Sunday, June 14, at her home in Concord, California. Born June 20, 1925, to Heber Charles and Sylvia May (Campbell) Swainston, she was raised in Preston, Idaho, and later graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in business. She raised her family in California where she worked for Caldwell Roofing until retirement. A long-time member of the Contra Costa Quilting Guild, she won many blue ribbons for her intricate and beautiful quilts. Rosa Mae was also a member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served for many years as a meetinghouse librarian, Relief Society president, counselor and teacher, in addition to other callings. She spent countless hours on family history work.

Rosa Mae was devoted to her family and her many friends. She will be long remembered for her kind, loving, and generous spirit. She is survived by George, her husband of 67 years, their children, Kathleen (Dean) Merkley, Mark (Debra), Doug (Karen), Steve (Linda) and Michelle (Rob) Jones, 24 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, brothers Heber (Carol), David (Belva), Carl (Julie) and Paul (Glenda), sister Susan (Tom) Ransom and brother-in-law Walt Wunderlich.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Clifford, sister Colleen and sister-in-law Geneal.

A memorial service was held on Thursday, June 18, in Concord and in her hometown of Preston Tuesday, June 23, with interment in the Preston City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.