Celebrating the Life of

Jean Rippl Hawkins

January 11, 1930 - January 18, 2020

Jean Audrey Rippl, daughter of Elsie Schimmel Rippl and Arthur Wulfetange Rippl, was born on January 11, 1930. The family lived in the Brookline neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, until 1940 when they moved further out of the city to Bethel Park. Grossmama (Grandmother), Mathilde Kloss Schimmel, held a special place in Jean’s heart, since they spent much time together when Elsie helped Art start their printing shop business during the Depression. Jean was the only child so was comfortable spending time with adults.

Jean’s creativity began at an early age as she wrote poetry and limericks about both serious and humorous topics; developed a doll collection of more than 400 dolls from all over the world; and later created monogrammed copper lamps, trays and baskets, and crafts made from nature and recycled items. At Bethel High School, she was editor of the Yearbook and on the debate team. She attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where she was a resident of the first honor dormitory, President of the YWCA, Junior Advisor, and a member of Mortar Board, Outing Club and Alpha Phi Sorority. Here she met Arnold George “Bud” Hawkins, Jr. from Attleboro, Massachusetts. Jean worked at the Springfield, Massachusetts YWCA until she and Bud were married on August 29, 1953. They were inseparable for 56 years until Bud’s death on August 7, 2009.

They moved to Newton Centre, Massachusetts, where Bud studied at Andover Newton Theological School, and was ordained an American Baptist minister in 1956. Bud first served as Associate Pastor at The First Baptist Church in Malden, Massachusetts.

The Hawkins’ life in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, began in November 1958, when Bud, Jean and three-month old Heather moved into the parsonage at The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain (FBCJP). Not long thereafter their son John was born in 1960. When FBCJP called its 18th pastor, its members were blessed with a loving and caring pastor, a true team ministry in Bud and Jean, and a family that took an active role in the life of the church. During their time at FBCJP, Bud and Jean were continually focused on helping others. Not only were they available at all hours to those in need, but also in outreach efforts on a local, national and international level. They were instrumental in establishing the Food Pantry which helped many in the congregation and community during difficult economic times. Jean served in numerous leadership roles, including Church Women United. On a regional level, she was involved with Protestant Community, a group focusing on Christian social ethics for over 50 years. Jean and Bud attended the Open Rehearsal Series of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for over 20 years.

In 1999, after 41 years of ministry and mission at FBCJP, Jean, Bud and his mother, Grandma Lois, retired to Sugar Hill Retirement Community (SHRC) in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. They continued to support FBCJP with love, prayers and ongoing efforts to rebuild after the devastating fire of 2005. The Jean R. Hawkins Loft, dedicated in September 2013, provides space for Christian education and community events.

During 20+ years at SHRC, Jean was recognized as Sugar Hill’s Ambassador, welcoming new residents with a basket of her famous tollhouse cookies and fresh fruit to help during their first days in a new home. Each month she made personal delivery visits to 20+ friends in Assisted Living to share time and seasonally-decorated cookies, including sugar-free options. She was the first to sign up for many day trips to New England cultural, historical and natural destinations (some with Heather); enjoyed regular weekly exercise and coffee hour gatherings, classes to learn jewelry making, watercolor painting, mandalas (coloring of detailed designs) and other crafts; won SHRC Best Halloween Costume Award for two consecutive years; expanded her world as she joined weekly bocci games, rode as co-pilot in the SHRC bus during a 4th of July parade, and served on the Board of Directors. She developed friendships with many people in the community, including those in doctors’ offices, local businesses and the bank. Everyone loved Jean and her warm expressions of kindness.

Thanks to Alison and John, Jean traveled to visit world treasures: Paris, Giverny, and Versailles in 1994 to see Notre Dame and Monet’s gardens, where her excitement and energy outpaced her personal tour guide and John. In her 8th decade, Jean enjoyed Hawkins Family adventures to San Francisco and Mayacama, Sonoma, California in 2010. A highlight was their trip to Holy Land sites in Israel in 2016 with tours of Jerusalem and Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, visits to churches and ruins in the City of David, prayers at the Western Wall and Jordan River, an afternoon to float in the Dead Sea, and evenings to overlook the walled city from the King David Hotel. Then to Cairo and Giza to stand by the Sphinx, marvel at King Tut artifacts and mummies at the Egyptian Museum, ride a camel in front of the great pyramids, enjoy nights and meals next to pyramids at the Mena Hotel and High Tea at the Nile Ritz. Many first-class trips for a Beverly Hills Christmas were a treat/tradition for Jean, Heather and Betsy. Jean even took golf lessons so she could surprise and join them on the LACC putting green and course in 2011.

Jean’s faith and relationship with God were incredibly strong. She faithfully used 4 devotional guides each day, had a long intercessory prayer list, and shared her faith in her daily life in quiet, meaningful ways. She enjoyed attending FBC Wolfeboro, where she served as a greeter, prayer team leader, and “Jean’s chocolate chip cookies” provider.

Jean also greeted people at Huggins Hospital as a weekly volunteer; 1000+ hours in 10 years. She took care of herself, learned Tai Chi and personal defense skills, and subscribed to multiple health/nutrition newsletters. In addition to her tollhouse cookies, enjoyed internationally for decades, Jean made yogurt, bread, soup and granola before doing so became common.

Throughout Jean’s life, she faithfully maintained friendships and regular communication with generations of family, friends, neighbors, friends of Heather and John, and children of their friends, sending new baby congratulations, get well, sympathy and more than 30 birthday and anniversary cards each month, and 120+ annual Hawkins Family Christmas letters. In fact, she remained in touch with friends from childhood and college, with weekly calls.

 In her last year, Jean faced many medical challenges which required dependency on others.  She gracefully accepted the role of “receiver” instead of “caregiver” as she adjusted to having a wonderful loving team of 24/7 caregivers provide care, support and safety. Jean’s consistent clarity and communication of her wishes for her medical care and comfort made her passing as natural, peaceful and grace-full, as her long life, just a week after a festive family celebration of her 90th birthday! An amazing, loving gift for us all. Now Jean and Bud are together again.

Jean’s deep unconditional love for her family, Heather, John, Betsy and Alison, are gifts for which we are incredibly grateful, and will treasure as we live on in her spirit!!  We remain grateful to all her family and friends for the ways they touched her long life, and their kind words, sentiments and memories to describe individual relationships with her. It has been lovely to see how highly she was thought of by so many. 

With gratitude for all of the continued expressions of support, love and prayers,

Heather, Betsy, John and Alison                                                                    March 2021