Gwendolyn J. (Roberson) Hawkins

Gwendolyn June (Roberson) Hawkins, 85, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, departed this life on Friday, January 7, 2022, at Brigham & Women’s Faulkner Hospital, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

Gwendolyn was born on May 1, 1936, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the nineth of fourteen children born to the late Julia Almira (Hazzard) Roberson and the late Ralph Roberson Sr.

She and her siblings were raised in Worcester, where she attended school and was an active member of the Belmont African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E.Z.) Church throughout her youth.

She was a proud member of the Hassanamisco band of the Nipmuc Tribe as well as the Narragansett Nations and enjoyed attending Pow Wow gatherings.

She moved to Boston as a young married adult and lived in both Roxbury and Hyde Park.  Gwen had a few occupations during her lifetime including a licensed Cosmetologist, a Certified Nursing Assistant, and most recently a Boston Police Crossing Guard.  She loved being a senior crossing guard and the many students she safely guided across the busy streets of Boston adored “Miss Gwen” as she was fondly called.

Pre-deceased by her husband of 55 years, Joseph Louis Hawkins, her six brothers, Emile Roberson, Ralph Roberson Jr., Wallace Roberson, Robert Roberson, Clayton Roberson, and Richard Roberson, and four sisters, Natalie Cottle, Barbara Cogman, Roberta Jones, and Elizabeth Trimble, Gwen is survived by three sisters, Arlene Walker of Springfield, Massachusetts, and Diana Leek and Marcia Manong, both of Malden, Massachusetts;  a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and other extended family members, and many friends to mourn her passing.

Gwen lovingly and generously attended not only to family members but to others as well.  She often quoted her upbringing as the reason she enjoyed reaching out to help others.  Her presence in this world will be missed.

Due to COVID-19, her memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safe to do so.

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