Edna Marie Hawthorne

Edna Marie Hawthorne July 6, 1924 June 1, 2015 Edna Marie Kitty Hawthorne, 90, died peacefully at her home on June 1, 2015. A burial commitment service was held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 3, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Her memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 9, at Calvary Baptist Church. Beloved husband, Alfred C. Al or Buddy Hawthorne, predeceased her in June 2000. For decades, Kitty was well-known as a professional legal secretary in Waco and nationally. She became President of the National Association of Legal Secretaries 1964-66, after forming the Waco chapter and serving as the Charter President of the Waco chapter 1956-57 and President of the Texas organization 1957-58. For the final twenty years of her career, she was an administrative assistant to the dean of Continuing Education at McLennan Community College and an adjunct professor. In the later role she developed and taught a legal secretary curriculum for the school. In a 1979 article, Kitty called it "a career beyond my dreams." We believe she would describe her life in the same way. Kitty was born July 6, 1924, to Mildred McDonald Wansley and Shellie Edwin Wansley. She graduated from Waco High Class of 1942. After a stint at Baylor, Kitty enrolled in business school to learn secretarial and office skills. While returning by bus from a visit to a favorite aunt and uncle in Shreveport, she met a handsome and courteous young soldier then stationed at Camp Hood. After a courtship through letters during the war years, Kitty married Al Hawthorne on September 2, 1944, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The young couple lived in California and at Camp Hood while he completed his military service. Kitty and Al made their home in Waco and enjoyed their respective careers. Her first employment began in 1946 in the law offices of F.L.C. Greer. During the 1953 tornado, Kitty was at work downtown in the Liberty Building. In recent years Kitty would describe in detail how Judge Earle, who was blind, led her and other co-workers hand-in-hand down the dark stairwell for several floors to a safer location. Kitty relished her career and the friendships she made because of it. During the career and retirement years, Kitty traveled extensively with colleagues and friends, and, occasionally convinced Al to come along. She was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church. One of the joys of Kitty's life was her extended family. She was caring and helpful to her parents and to her many aunts and uncles. Kitty had great affection for her sister Pawnee Wansley Martin and Pawnee's children: Beth Martin Garrett, William S. Martin and Carroll Greer Martin husband Clyde Bennett and to their respective children and grandchildren. All loved her deeply in return. In addition to Beth, William and Carroll, she is survived by great nephew Richard Powers his children Craven and Astin, and grandson Gavin, great niece Angela Tomecek her children, Hollie Tomecek, Billie Tomecek and Chelsea Glenn, great nephew Jeff Martin wife Lisa and their sons Rex and Grant, great nephew Christopher Bennett and wife Elena Solano Bennett, and great nieces Brooke Bennett and Callie Martin. Pawnee predeceased her in 2005. Kitty is also survived members of the Hawthorne family: sister-in law, Marie Boyce, nieces Susan Gregg Bihm, Debbie Boyce and Patsy Kirk Gerry, and nephews Wilbert Trisler Diane, Elbert "Riley" Trisler, Carey Trisler Charlotte, Richard Gregg and William Boyce. Sisters-in law Callie Gregg and Odessa Trisler predeceased her. With deepest gratitude, the family thanks her extraordinary caregiver who became a dear friend, Sofia Marton, and her helpers, Stephanie Marton and Cara Winkler. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.