Virginia Clara Hawkins, 88, of Walnut Street in Claremont, died Saturday, February 21, 2009 at Valley Regional Hospital.
She was born in Newport, NH on July 19, 1920 the daughter of Alphonse and Clara (Henault) Lavigne. She attended Newport schools and later worked at the Brampton Woolen Mill and International Shoe Shop. Virginia was one of the first employees of Tambrands Inc. when it opened on the River Road in Claremont. She worked there for twenty years and retired in 1982 at the age of 62.
Virginia enjoyed her retirement years spending much of her time with family which was very important to her. She loved watching game shows and old movies on television. She also enjoyed playing bingo at the Moose Hall in Claremont and missed the people there when she could no longer attend. Reading and crocheting were also two of her favorite pastimes.
She is survived by two daughters, Lorraine Goyette of Claremont and Rhonda Smith and her husband Harold of Charlestown; four grandchildren, Cheryl Anderson and her husband Rick of Springfield, NH, Heather Callum and her husband Todd of Unity, Jason Sohngen and his wife Kate of Claremont and Teri Horan and her husband Tony of New York; eight great-grandchildren, Michael and Savanna Callum, William, Jonathan and Miranda Anderson, Edison Sohngen and Amanda and Bradley Horan.
She was pre-deceased by her brothers, Dona Lavigne in 1985 and Edward Lavigne in 2006, also an infant granddaughter Lisa Marie Goyette in 1969 and a son in law, Thomas Goyette in 2005.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning, February 24th at Eleven O’clock in St Mary’s Church with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will follow in St Mary’s Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street in Claremont on Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:45 AM prior to the Mass.
The family suggest that donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society, 2 Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, NH 03110 or the charity of one choice.