Beth Hawkins Laauwe

Beth Hawkins Laauwe, aged 80, passed away on September 1st, 2024 in Bryan, Texas. She was born on October 15, 1943 in the Brooklyn Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, New York to Lieutenant Harry E. F. Hawkins, Jr. (USN) and Mrs. Alice Trefny Hawkins. She was a devoted mother and a proud and loving grandmother.

Beth was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin in 1965. Following graduation, she began a lifelong career shaping and molding America’s youth as a high school and middle school English and History teacher. She began her teaching career in Maryland before moving to Ramapo HS in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. In 1982, she moved to Elsik High School in Alief, TX where she taught 10th and 11th grade English and served as the sponsor for Elsik’s National Honor Society. She finished her career in 2010 as an 8th grade middle school English teacher at Alief’s Killough Middle School. 

Over her 45+ year teaching career she influenced the lives of thousands of young Americans; many of whom went on to become successful engineers, scientists, doctors, military service members, football players, basketball players and even teachers themselves.

She was an avid supporter of the Houston Texans, Houston Astros and all Aggie Athletics, but was a fanatic when it came to Aggie Football. She enjoyed attending sporting events, concerts, theater productions and especially enjoyed getting together with her friends for Friday night happy hours.

She leaves behind a loving family that includes her son, Brad Laauwe; her daughter-in-law, Shauna Laauwe; two incredible grandchildren in Jackson Kyle Laauwe and Shannon Rose Laauwe; her brother, Richard Hawkins; sister-in-law Peggy Hawkins and two nephews Scott and Mark Hawkins.

A memorial service to honor Beth's remarkable life will be held on September 15, 2024, at 2:30 PM at the Hillier Funeral Home of College Station. Visitation will begin at 1pm. As we remember Beth, let us celebrate that the world is a better placed because of the countless lives she touched with her wisdom, love and kindness.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her memory. The website can be found here:

https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now&homepagedonate