May 14, 1936 – February 9, 2026

Catherine Clair (Cronin) Hawkins passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of February 9, 2026 at the age of 89. Born in Spalding, Nebraska, she was the youngest of Earl and Emma (McKnight) Cronin’s eight children.

During the Great Depression, the Cronin family moved to lone after Earl secured work at Preston School of Industry. Despite the hardships of the era – living first in a tent, then a small shack – the family was sustained by their faith and kindness of neighbors. As Catherine’s older siblings grew up and moved on, she and her brother Gene remained at home. They attended lone’s elementary school, however, Emma had heard that McClatchy High School in Sacramento was a well-respected school and she believed it would be able to provide more opportunities for Gene and Catherine. Earl, however, had to remain in lone because of his job with Preston. Jobs were scarce in those days and fortunately his provided enough income for the family to make this move.

Life in Sacramento was a drastic change from the rural simplicity of lone, but Catherine quickly found her place. On her first day of high school, she was welcomed by a group of girls who, eventually (including Catherine), called themselves the “Hollywood Park Gang,” and these friendships would last a lifetime. Catherine’s love of dance blossomed during these years; she participated successfully in numerous dance competitions and, shortly after graduation, was invited to become a dance instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Sacramento – a role she cherished.

A weekend trip with friends to visit her father in lone led her to Jackson, where she met her first husband, Gerald Garbarini. The two fell deeply in love, eloped and settled in Yuba City, where Gerald taught English at Yuba City College. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Teryn, a year later.

Though grateful for Gerald’s work, the couple longed to be closer to family. They eventually moved to Jackson, where Catherine discovered a charming home on StasaI Avenue – a fixer-upper she embraced wholeheartedly. Their family grew with the birth of their sons, Mitchell and Matthew. Gerald later taught English at Jackson High School and, although their marriage ended, Catherine and Gerald remained respectful and supportive co-parents, setting a strong example for their children.

Catherine began studying real estate in the early 1970s and successfully passed the exam to earn her license. During this time, she met Fred Baker, a successful real estate broker in Amador County and the two later married. Catherine went on to obtain her broker’s license and built a thriving career at Golden Chain Realty, where she worked for more than 20 years before retiring.

Once again, her life shifted after her marriage to Fred Baker ended. A mutual longtime friend reintroduced Catherine to Ronnie Hawkins, a childhood friend from lone. Catherine and Ronnie had taught one another to dance when they were five years old. Their connection was immediate and they married shortly thereafter. They travelled the world, though both always loved returning home to StasaI Avenue and continued dancing together until Ronnie’s passing.

Catherine lived her life with joy, gratitude and unwavering faith. A devout Catholic, she found meaning in the simple blessings of everyday life. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, stepmother, grandmother, as well as a loyal and trusted friend. Her warmth, kindness and positive spirit touched all who knew her. She adored her family and was extremely proud of her Irish heritage.

She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Emma Cronin; her siblings Gilbert, Margaret, Bob, Mick, Bill and Gene; her husband Ronald Hawkins; and stepson Ronald Hawkins Jr.

Catherine is survived by her loving sister, Eileen (Ronald) Westburg of Laguna Hills, CA; her three children, Teryn (Wayne) Boitano, Mitchell Garbarini and Matthew (Elgie) Garbarini; her three stepdaughters, Julie Hawkins, Jill (Mike) Villa and Joanne (Norman) Thayer. Additionally, her grandchildren Clairi Boitano, James Boitano, Mark Garbarini (Naomi), Ryan Garbarini, Tara (Duane ) Garbarini, Aimee Garbarini, Angela Garbarini, Sarah Garbarini, Gracie Garbarini, Kyle Saraus, Justin (Sasha) Kristofferson, Cole (Mandy) Kristofferson, Alexandria Sayle, Misty Sayle, David Sayle, Vanessa Kristofferson, Adrianna Kristofferson, Regan Kristofferson, Scott Kristofferson, Nick Kristofferson, William Kristofferson; great-grandchildren Harlow Garbarini, Kane Garbarini, Beau Newman, Dylan Sloan; and great-great-granddaughter Aria Kristofferson.

Catherine’s legacy is one of love, resilience, faith and joy. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The family would like to thank Amador Residential and Bristol Hospice of Stockton for their compassionate care the past 2-plus years.

All family and friends are invited to attend a mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Jackson on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. A celebration of life will follow mass to be held at the Kiota Inn of Sutter Creek, CA.