- Date Of Birth: July 26, 1931
- Date Of Death: June 29, 2022
- State: Michigan
Barbara “Barb” Ann Hawthorne neé Schensul passed on June 29, 2022, at the age of 90. She was born to the late Joseph “Joe” Schensul and Helen Schensul neé Reisterer on July 26, 1931, in Kalamazoo, MI. She graduated from Nazareth Academy for Girls in 1948. Her next step in academia was to go to MSU for a teaching degree for elementary aged students where she graduated in 1955.
During her working years, she helped out at her parents’ restaurant while living at home. After graduating, she started working as an elementary school teacher. During this time, she met her late husband John T. “Jack” Hawthorne and they were married on September 26th, 1964. For a couple of years she taught at an elementary school in New York before moving back to Michigan with her family. After she stopped teaching, she went into business with Jack as well as becoming a realtor.
Barb loved to sing, put together puzzles, bowl, golf, and snuggle with her dog Brandi. She was a member of the Sweet Adelines in Plainwell, the Mid-Lakes Chapter, and in Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Chapter. She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church for most of her life.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents; her younger brother, Richard; her husband; and her cousin, Gene. Surviving are her brother, John (Phyllis) Schensul; son, Joe (Laura) Hawthorne; daughter, Jen Hawthorne; step-son, John (Jeralynne) Hawthorne; step-daughter, Kathy Murray; grandchildren, Jason and Jessica Hawthorne; 5 step-grandchildren, and 5 step-great grandchildren.
