Evamaria (Ria) Hawkins

Hawkins—Evamaria (Ria) Hawkins, 96, on August 9, 2024, peacefully, at the Collington Kendal retirement community in Prince George’s County, Md. Ria was born on October 6, 1927, in Berlin, Germany. As a young wartime refugee from Berlin to England, she developed an adaptable self-resilience and a desire to help others less fortunate. Ria received a great deal of assistance from Quakers in England and became a member of London Yearly Meeting. She worked in various aspects of social work, including volunteering in prisons and in the work of the Literacy Society.

In 1952, Ria married Edward (Ted) Hawkins of England. Their loving marriage was a source of strength and stability during a career that took them to live in Africa; Sri Lanka; England; and Bethesda, Md.

In 1996, they moved to the Collington retirement community. Ria was an active member of the Marriage Enrichment Society. The depth of Ria and Ted’s relationship was a loving testament to this part of their lives. They were married for 66 years until Ted’s death in 2018.

Ria was an active member of Bethesda (Md.) Meeting for many years before changing membership to Annapolis (Md.) Meeting upon moving to Collington. In her later years she was delighted to participate in the growing meeting for worship at Collington.

In 2004, Ria was moved to undertake a study of the life and writings of James Nayler, one of the founding leaders of the Quaker movement in the 1660s. This research culminated in Ria writing and publishing (through Baltimore Yearly Meeting) a guide and modern translation to Nayler’s 1661 document, Milk for Babes: and Meat for Strong Men. She also presented several workshops on Nayler at Pendle Hill study center in Wallingford, Pa.

In addition to her family, Ria had a passion for music, knitting, sewing, gardening, and flower arranging. She spent many happy hours in her garden and received great pleasure and enjoyment in creating beautiful floral arrangements that graced the halls of Collington. In recent times pottery provided another fun outlet for her creative side.

Ria was predeceased by her husband, Ted Hawkins.

She is survived by three children, Christine Kranzler, Thomas Hawkins (Meg), and Elizabeth Winningham (Bruce); seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.