Marjorie A. Hawkins

Marjorie A. Hawkins, 87, of Tuscola, IL, passed away at 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Reflections Memory Care, Savoy, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 705 South Main Street, Tuscola, IL. Burial will be in the Tuscola Township Cemetery, Tuscola, IL. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the services at the funeral home.

Marge was born in Geff, IL on June 18, 1938, the first child of Russel and Dorothy (nee Grubb) Grove. Marge was the older sister to: Rosalie (Ray) Elliott of Fairfield; Gary (Sharon) Grove of Fairfield; and Sue (George) Hunt (deceased and formerly of Geff).

Marge met and married the love her life, James “Boyd” Hawkins. They were rarely apart for almost 60 years before Boyd passed in 2017. Marge missed having Boyd by her side every single day.

Marge was loving mother to Richard "Rich" Hawkins (deceased), Donna (Gary) Fry and Steven (Linda-deceased) Hawkins. She was the adoring grandma to Amanda "Mandy" (Dan) Derrick, James "Jamie" Hawkins (deceased), Joseph "Joey" Jessee, Jordan Hawkins and Hailey Hawkins; and lovingly known as "Grandma Hawkins" to Paighton Derrick and Nicholas "Nick" Jessee. Marge’s greatest joys were being a grandmother. The family’s home was literally filled with almost one hundred large photographs of each and every grandchild and great-grandchild. Marge was a cherished aunt to Phyllis (Raymond) Laird, Richard Pike (deceased), David (Linda) Pike, Mike Elliott, Keith Grove, Mark Hunt, Marty Elliott, Sherlyn Brooks and Cory Hunt.

Marge’s hobbies were playing her piano (or any, for that matter) and knitting. When she moved from the family home to Brookstone Estates and then to Reflections Memory Care the piano went with her. Previously to her moving, she played for the Tuscola Christian Church where she also conducted the choir for a few years. Marge’s mother-in-law taught her how to knit, and Marge was a knitting force. Marge knitted countless booties and afghans for newborn babies, their mamas, her family, and friends. She joyfully gave them all away and would often have a supply of completed works on hand and available anytime someone needed a gift. Marge was also a traditional Hawkins St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Marge was the First Christian Church’s first nursery schoolteacher. She later was hired as a bookkeeper for Citizens TV and Appliance in Tuscola, and then later began bookkeeping at Tuscola National Bank where she retired as an assistant cashier.

Upon their retirements she and Boyd enjoyed traveling in these United States and occasionally went missing, forgetting to notify their grown children when they’d be gone from home. These were before the days of mobile phones. When their children called them only to leave unreturned messages on their answering machines, the children would then contact family and friends out of concern thankfully to learn that their parents were driving to who knows where. Fortunately, Marge and Boyd would eventually return home safely, call the kids and talk about what a nice trip they’d had, then laugh that the kids were worried about them.

About five and a half years ago, Marge was diagnosed with what is believed to be Lewy Body Dementia. Although it continued to slowly take her away from the countless, joyous moments she had spent with family and friends, she still had those dry sense of humor quips that came out of nowhere and occasionally give that “I’m still the mother” look. These past few years she’s received loving attention and great care from the devoted staff at Reflections Memory Care. The family is extremely grateful for their outstanding, compassionate, and personalized attention each of them gave to Marge, providing her family with support and assurance that she was safe and living the remainder of her life pleasantly with dignity.