Maria C. Hawn, known by most as Carola, was called to be with Our Heavenly Father on September 4, 2021. She was born in Salinas, Puerto Rico on November 4, 1925. As her mother (Palmira Picon) relocated to be near her work or family, Carola grew up in the towns of Patillas, Cidra, and Santurce. As she matured, she enjoyed both her education as well as times dancing and singing in the city plaza with her friends. When she finished schooling and entered the workforce, she was employed as a secretary for the U.S. Army at Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico. Carola was truly a woman setting examples for other women during the late 1940s. While working at the base, she became a manager in the secretarial pool due to her impressive bilingual skills and ability to translate work requirements from the U.S. Army leaders to her peers. She purchased and owned her own home, and often traveled to neighboring islands with friends.
It was during that time that she met the man that would become her husband (Stanford T. Hawn, known as ST). She spoke of the early dating and the need for chaperones to ensure the rules of the Hispanic culture of those times were followed. In 1952, Carola and ST were married and enjoyed a month long honeymoon traveling to various cities within the continental United States. During this time Carola was introduced to ST’s family. They returned to reside in Puerto Rico until 1953 when they moved to Herculaneum, Missouri.
During her time in Missouri, she gave birth to two children, William and Palma. Family was a cornerstone for both Carola and ST. Carola was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a devoted member of her church. Carola made life-long friends with the neighbors on Circle Street and in the small town of Herculaneum. It was common to hear her humming throughout the day. Carola always remembered family members and friends’ birthdays and special occasions sending greeting cards and a written note.
In 2005 Carola moved to Conroe, Texas to be closer to her daughter. During the final two and one-half years of her life she blessed both her children by visiting with them at different times.
Carola is survived by her son and his wife (William and Diana Hawn), her daughter and her partner (Palma Sales and Gordon), her grandson (Rob Sales), her sister-in-law (Olga Picon), and numerous nieces and nephews. Waiting for her in heaven were her husband (Stanford T. Hawn), her mother (Palmira J. Picon), her mother-in-law (Bertie C. Hawn), her brother (Hector T. Picon), her sister and her husband (Palmira Padilla and Ismael Rosado), her grandson (Christopher Y. Hawn), and her sisters/brothers-in-law.
Carola’s final resting place is the Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
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