H. Gertrude Hawksley

H. Gertrude (Cottrell) Hawksley, R.N. ,99, of South Kingstown, passed away on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. She was the wife of the late Harry W. Hawksley. Born in South Kingstown on July 15, 1919, she was the daughter of the late John J. Cottrell and Helen H. (Smith) Cottrell. Gertrude graduated from South Kingstown High School in 1937, Rhode Island State College (now URI) in 1941 and Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She was employed at the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, she was a registered nurse for Rhode Island Hospital, and South County Hospital retiring in 1982. Gertrude resided in Exeter from 1950-2000 before moving to South Kingstown in 2000. She was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps from 1944 -1947, the Ladies Auxiliary of Exeter Fire Co. #1, Republican Women of Exeter, the Kingston Garden Club from 1958-2004, and a life member of Rhode Island Hospital Nurses Alumni Association. She is survived by her stepson, Robert W. Hawksley (Lois) of Earlysville, VA, stepdaughter, Carol Marvin; brother, Richard F. Cottrell of West Kingston; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was the stepmother of the late H. Ronald Hawksley; sister of the late J. Jesse Cottrell, Jr., Edith Boothroyd, Marion Roehl, Elma Christopher, Janis Rechor, Patricia Salisbury, and Oliver C. Cottrell. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 10am in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. Burial will be private. Kindly omit flowers. Memorial gifts may be made to Chestnut Hill Baptist Church, 459 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rl, 02822.