Phyllis Hawk

Phyllis Jean Hawk, age 90, passed away peacefully at her daughter's home in Greenville, North Carolina after a difficult series of struggles with pneumonia and several strokes. Phyllis was born in Elkhart, Indiana where her parents, Ross and Gladys Hall, owned a small grocery store. She married her husband Carl in 1946 and started a family. Phyllis was a stay-at-home mom, raising two sons and two daughters, and eventually settling in Portage, Michigan. Following her husband's prolonged illness and passing in 1967, Phyllis chose to embark on a new journey, attending Western Michigan University full-time (with three school age kids at home) and obtaining a bachelor's degree in education in 1970. She taught 3rd grade at Haverhill Elementary School in Portage, until her retirement in 1992, where she was much loved by her students and fellow teachers. They always knew when Mrs. Hawk was in the building because all they had to do was listen for her laughter. Phyllis received holiday cards from many former students, long after she retired. Her four kids adored her, enjoying a life-long loving relationship. Phyllis was a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo and a member of Psi Iota Xi, a philanthropic sorority. Following her retirement, she donated her time and talents to local charities. Phyllis's husband, Carl Hawk, and her daughter, Kathleen Nicosia, had preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, James Hawk, of Bethesda, Maryland; son Larry Hawk and wife Patti of Medfield, Massachusetts, as well as her daughter, Kimberly Meyer and husband Jeff of Greenville, North Carolina. She will be dearly missed by her sister, Janet Martell, of Perrysburg, Ohio, five grandchildren Marianne DeLuca, Carl Hawk, Jenny Carter, Stephanie Meyer and James Meyer, and one great-grandchild, Bruno DeLuca. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, or another worthwhile local charity. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Kalamazoo, Michigan, with a graveside service at Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park South immediately following (tentative date April 27, details to follow).