Betty Jane Hawes

Betty Jane (Nelson) Hawes, age 86, of Cheshire, CT, died in Hamden January 3, 2018. She was born in Derby, CT June 7, 1931, the daughter of John Harold Nelson and Helen Shelton (Hubbard) Nelson. She married Raymond Gordon Hawes at the Whitneyville Congregational Church, Hamden April 24, 1954. She had 3 children, Gary Nelson Hawes (deceased in 2000) and his wife Lorraine of Hamden, Bradford Gordon Hawes of Weaverville, NC, and Susan Amey Hawes, wife of Wayne Harris of Wallingford, CT. She is survived by 3 grandchildren, Joseph Raymond Hawes and wife Michelle of Wallingford, Jennifer Rachel (Hawes) Griggs, wife of Dan Griggs of Cheshire, and Kelly Lynn Harris of Providence, RI, and great-granddaughter Kaylee Amanda Griggs of Cheshire. Betty graduated from Hamden High School in 1949 and the Hospital of St. Raphael School of Nursing in 1952, where she worked in the outpatient department. Betty volunteered at The Wallingford Masonic Hospital and Healthcare Center for many years. She was a long-term member of the Spring Glen United Church of Christ, where she was a volunteer Sunday School teacher. Her outside interests were painting, gardening, and golf, and she loved to dance. Betty's family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Meadow Mills for their compassionate care for the 6 1/2 years Betty was a patient in the Alzheimer's facility. There will be a memorial service at Elim Park, Cheshire on Saturday January 13, 2018 at 1 p.m. in Nelson Hall. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private at a later date.