Dorothy Nevin Hawkins died peacefully in Bellevue, Washington on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the age of 87 and surrounded by her loving family. Her funeral will be Tuesday, July 22 at noon at the Bellevue LDS Chapel located at 10675 NE 20th St., Bellevue, Washington; with a viewing at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Park, 350 Monroe Ave. N.E., Renton, Washington.
Dorothy was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to C. Ivan Bills and Edith Bills. She was an excellent student, attending Salt Lake City schools and graduating from South High at the age of 15. She loved words and reading all her life and was a whiz at spelling bees. She was a pianist and gifted runner at a young age. Dorothy attended the University of Utah for two years, majoring in Home Economics.
Dorothy was an active and lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had a strong testimony.
At the age of 18, Dorothy married her high school sweetheart, James Fitzgerald, in the Salt Lake Temple, and that marriage lasted 32 years. James was in the Navy during World War II. They moved to San Diego until after the war ended, when they returned to Salt Lake. They had five children and she was a devoted mother and wife. They moved to Bellevue in 1958.
Dorothy worked at many jobs to help support her family–starting at a young age to work for her Dad and Mom in their home accounting business–but the most interesting to her was as deputy to the Utah State Supreme Court and the Utah State Bar. She also worked as a legal and executive secretary.
In 1976, Dorothy went back to school to become the court reporter that had been her goal since high school. She graduated from Edmonds Community College with an associate degree in business and court reporting, and worked in that capacity for several years.
In 1979, Dorothy married Albert Nevin and inherited a family of seven children. They lived on the Eastside for 20 years until Al’s death and were very happy together.
Following her retirement, Dorothy moved to Issaquah, and met and married Wade Hawkins, a “Pearl Harbor Survivor.” Unfortunately, Wade died five months into their marriage. Soon after that she met Bill Reece, who became a dear friend and companion for 10 years. Dorothy became very close to several of Bill’s six lovely daughters and remained so after Bill’s death.
Dorothy enjoyed living in a home on Lake Washington for seven years and loved to sit and watch the boats go by, often with Bill at her side. Dorothy and Bill loved to attend Mariners games together.
In 2011 Dorothy moved to Aegis of Bellevue, an assisted living retirement home, and lived there until her death.
Dorothy endured many serious health challenges and other trials, which she bravely faced and overcame. She was completely dedicated to her family and helping them in any way she could. She loved and enjoyed her family and all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She said they were her greatest joy in life and meant everything to her.
Dorothy is survived by her brother, Richard Bills (of Fruit Heights, Utah), and her five children – Kathy (Steve) Hummer, Colleen (Jim) Magelsen, Christine (Wayne) Perry, Jim (Barb) Fitzgerald, and Diane (David) Jackson – as well as by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had an exceedingly strong testimony of the importance of the family in this life and throughout eternity. She dearly and unconditionally loved all her family.
When asked how she would like to be remembered, she said, “As a loving person.” She achieved this goal, and will definitely be remembered as a “loving person.” She and her love will be greatly missed!
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dorothy’s name to the EvergreenHealth Foundation Hospice Program in Kirkland, Washington.