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Nell <I>Holt</I> Hawley

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Nell Holt Hawley

Birth
South Carolina, USA
Death
13 May 2016 (aged 96)
Boise, Ada County, Idaho, USA
Burial
Boise, Ada County, Idaho, USA Add to Map
Plot
PARKVIEW 4 11-H
Memorial ID
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Nell Holt Hawley
1920 - 2016
On May 13, 2016, Boise lost a fine lady, Nell Hawley. She died peacefully, surrounded by family. We will miss her and think of her everyday. She had a wonderful outlook and brought so much joy to our lives.
Nell was born March 28, 1920 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the youngest of three children born to Walker A. Holt and Sarah Hammett Holt. She was educated in the public schools of Spartanburg, attended Salem College in North Carolina, transferred to Converse College in South Carolina, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Converse, Nell was reunited with her beloved older sister Helen. Helen showed Nell the ropes: how to sneak a smoke between classes and how to drive their father's stick shift roadster to campus.
Graduating during WWII, Nell had an independent spirit and was full of admiration for her older brother William Knox Holt, a Citadel graduate serving in the American forces. Nell joined the Red Cross to make her contribution to the war effort. She trained for hospital duty at American University in Washington DC and requested a post at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While on duty admitting patients at the Fort Bragg hospital, Nell met a special officer from Idaho, Captain Jess B. Hawley, Jr. from the Army's Judge Advocate Generals Corp. By any measure, Nell was a strikingly beautiful woman and caught Jess' eye. That was the beginning of their life long love affair. They had 61 years together before Jess' death in 2006.
Their wedding on June 28, 1945 was a family ceremony at Nell's home in Spartanburg. Jess' parents, Jenny and Jess Hawley, listened to their vows via long distance telephone from their home in Boise. Nell and Jess honeymooned at Sea Island, Georgia. After the war, Nell and Jess relocated to Boise where Jess built his law practice. Mom bravely travelled a great distance and left the comfort of her Southern nest to move West. Shortly after their return to Idaho, Jess took Nell on a second honeymoon, Idaho style. It was a week-long camping and pack train trip through the White Clouds on horses that Jess had borrowed from a client and friend. Not entirely comfortable in the saddle, but up for the adventure, Nell's trip was the first of many excursions into Idaho's backcountry with Jess as they explored – over the decades – our mountains, lakes and rivers.
Nell embraced and adapted to a very different way of life as she made a new home and family in Idaho. At the same time, Nell infused her family with her Southern style and traditions, a lasting gift to her children and grandchildren. Nell started most days with a freshly ironed white blouse and a bit of lipstick. Everyone enjoyed hearing her speak with the gentle southern accent she kept her entire life. She may have seemed a little more formal than some, but Nell felt it was important to be courteous, respectful and patient ­– something she always tried to impart to her children. Nell was not one to hurry and everyone learned about "Southern Standard Time." Nell could always turn on her charm to smooth a late arrival.
Saturday dinners, affectionately called in our family "Saturday nights in Spartanburg," were one of the memorable traditions shaped by Nell's approach to family, food and entertaining. As a family, we were lucky to share many wonderful nights together with steaks from the grill, a few cocktails, lots of family stories, and much laughter. Although she was a health food nut, she made the best fried chicken in the world ­– if only a few times each year.
Nell liked to visit South Carolina with her children during the summers, with Jess typically joining them for extended periods of time. Many years, the family travelled by train courtesy of Jess' client Union Pacific. It was a big journey, but came with a big payoff. Spending time every year in Nell's hometown, surrounded by family and friends, let Nell's children and husband truly soak up the South Carolina lifestyle and customs. The Carolina kin, aunties, uncles and cousins, also got to know our way of life by travelling regularly to Idaho; they eventually even got used to the lack of lightening bugs, the dry arid climate, and our ability to play outside until the 10 PM darkness fell.
For Nell, family was the center of her world. A devoted mother who raised and cared for their four children, Nell often spoke of how fortunate she and Jess were to have found each other, and how connected they were by their shared love of family. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren and was quick to tell them so. Her encouragement for them all as they made their way in life was unwavering. Each birthday or holiday card was inscribed with the words "I am so proud of you" and had some cash scotch-taped inside. It was important to Nell that all her children respect and support each other. She was devoted to those who called her "Mom" and "Grandma."
Nell had a green thumb and loved her time in her garden. She'd often be out in her big hat, wearing gloves and wielding her hand tools. She maintained a beautiful rose garden with each plant she'd carefully selected for some special attribute, heritage quality or color. She could find four leaf clovers with ease. Nell was proud of her tomatoes, and we would eat them with her straight off the vine. She was a charter member of the Boise Garden Club, and maintained a lifelong interest in gardening.
Nell was a committed volunteer in in the community and involved in civic affairs. She was a member of a group then known as the Law Wives, a member of the Junior League of Boise, and later a sustaining member. Her favorite League activity was touring grade schools with a puppet show. She was a passionate supporter of the Red Cross and participated in community blood drives. Nell was a Co-Chair of Fundsy, a cub scout mother and active in her kids' PTA and school activities. Nell was also an avid golfer and she enjoyed the Hillcrest Ladies Golf Association.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents Walker and Sara Holt, her husband Jess B. Hawley, Jr., her brother William Knox Holt, and her sister Helen Holt Turpin. She is survived by her son, Jess B. Hawley III, his wife Iris Johnson Hawley, and their family of Jess B. Hawley IV, Margot Hawley and her husband Vivek Krishnappa and their son, Kush Krishnappa, and Toby Hawley and her fiancé Zane Kindred; daughter Victoria Hawley, her husband Jody Olson, their children Andrew Olson, his wife Melisa Olson, Maxwell Olson, his wife Clara Blakely, Kathryn Olson, and her husband Taber Turpin; son Stephen H. Hawley; daughter Kathryn Hawley Bush, her husband John Bush and their children Nathan Bush and Annie Bush.
During the last six and a half years of her life, Nell lived at Willow Park Assisted Living Center. Each year, she faced new physical challenges with courage, determination and an uncomplaining positive approach to life. Nell's family would like to extend special thanks to the Willow Park staff for enhancing the quality of Nell's life, and for providing compassionate care throughout her time there. The Hawley family would also like to recognize Amy and Jenny of First Choice Hospice for the extraordinarily loving and invaluable role they played in Nell's life.
At Nell's request, a private family service will be held Saturday, May 21 and she will be buried with her husband that same day. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Idaho Botanical Garden, the American Red Cross or the charity of your choice.

Published in Idaho Statesman on May 20, 2016
Nell Holt Hawley
1920 - 2016
On May 13, 2016, Boise lost a fine lady, Nell Hawley. She died peacefully, surrounded by family. We will miss her and think of her everyday. She had a wonderful outlook and brought so much joy to our lives.
Nell was born March 28, 1920 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the youngest of three children born to Walker A. Holt and Sarah Hammett Holt. She was educated in the public schools of Spartanburg, attended Salem College in North Carolina, transferred to Converse College in South Carolina, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. At Converse, Nell was reunited with her beloved older sister Helen. Helen showed Nell the ropes: how to sneak a smoke between classes and how to drive their father's stick shift roadster to campus.
Graduating during WWII, Nell had an independent spirit and was full of admiration for her older brother William Knox Holt, a Citadel graduate serving in the American forces. Nell joined the Red Cross to make her contribution to the war effort. She trained for hospital duty at American University in Washington DC and requested a post at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While on duty admitting patients at the Fort Bragg hospital, Nell met a special officer from Idaho, Captain Jess B. Hawley, Jr. from the Army's Judge Advocate Generals Corp. By any measure, Nell was a strikingly beautiful woman and caught Jess' eye. That was the beginning of their life long love affair. They had 61 years together before Jess' death in 2006.
Their wedding on June 28, 1945 was a family ceremony at Nell's home in Spartanburg. Jess' parents, Jenny and Jess Hawley, listened to their vows via long distance telephone from their home in Boise. Nell and Jess honeymooned at Sea Island, Georgia. After the war, Nell and Jess relocated to Boise where Jess built his law practice. Mom bravely travelled a great distance and left the comfort of her Southern nest to move West. Shortly after their return to Idaho, Jess took Nell on a second honeymoon, Idaho style. It was a week-long camping and pack train trip through the White Clouds on horses that Jess had borrowed from a client and friend. Not entirely comfortable in the saddle, but up for the adventure, Nell's trip was the first of many excursions into Idaho's backcountry with Jess as they explored – over the decades – our mountains, lakes and rivers.
Nell embraced and adapted to a very different way of life as she made a new home and family in Idaho. At the same time, Nell infused her family with her Southern style and traditions, a lasting gift to her children and grandchildren. Nell started most days with a freshly ironed white blouse and a bit of lipstick. Everyone enjoyed hearing her speak with the gentle southern accent she kept her entire life. She may have seemed a little more formal than some, but Nell felt it was important to be courteous, respectful and patient ­– something she always tried to impart to her children. Nell was not one to hurry and everyone learned about "Southern Standard Time." Nell could always turn on her charm to smooth a late arrival.
Saturday dinners, affectionately called in our family "Saturday nights in Spartanburg," were one of the memorable traditions shaped by Nell's approach to family, food and entertaining. As a family, we were lucky to share many wonderful nights together with steaks from the grill, a few cocktails, lots of family stories, and much laughter. Although she was a health food nut, she made the best fried chicken in the world ­– if only a few times each year.
Nell liked to visit South Carolina with her children during the summers, with Jess typically joining them for extended periods of time. Many years, the family travelled by train courtesy of Jess' client Union Pacific. It was a big journey, but came with a big payoff. Spending time every year in Nell's hometown, surrounded by family and friends, let Nell's children and husband truly soak up the South Carolina lifestyle and customs. The Carolina kin, aunties, uncles and cousins, also got to know our way of life by travelling regularly to Idaho; they eventually even got used to the lack of lightening bugs, the dry arid climate, and our ability to play outside until the 10 PM darkness fell.
For Nell, family was the center of her world. A devoted mother who raised and cared for their four children, Nell often spoke of how fortunate she and Jess were to have found each other, and how connected they were by their shared love of family. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren and was quick to tell them so. Her encouragement for them all as they made their way in life was unwavering. Each birthday or holiday card was inscribed with the words "I am so proud of you" and had some cash scotch-taped inside. It was important to Nell that all her children respect and support each other. She was devoted to those who called her "Mom" and "Grandma."
Nell had a green thumb and loved her time in her garden. She'd often be out in her big hat, wearing gloves and wielding her hand tools. She maintained a beautiful rose garden with each plant she'd carefully selected for some special attribute, heritage quality or color. She could find four leaf clovers with ease. Nell was proud of her tomatoes, and we would eat them with her straight off the vine. She was a charter member of the Boise Garden Club, and maintained a lifelong interest in gardening.
Nell was a committed volunteer in in the community and involved in civic affairs. She was a member of a group then known as the Law Wives, a member of the Junior League of Boise, and later a sustaining member. Her favorite League activity was touring grade schools with a puppet show. She was a passionate supporter of the Red Cross and participated in community blood drives. Nell was a Co-Chair of Fundsy, a cub scout mother and active in her kids' PTA and school activities. Nell was also an avid golfer and she enjoyed the Hillcrest Ladies Golf Association.
Nell was preceded in death by her parents Walker and Sara Holt, her husband Jess B. Hawley, Jr., her brother William Knox Holt, and her sister Helen Holt Turpin. She is survived by her son, Jess B. Hawley III, his wife Iris Johnson Hawley, and their family of Jess B. Hawley IV, Margot Hawley and her husband Vivek Krishnappa and their son, Kush Krishnappa, and Toby Hawley and her fiancé Zane Kindred; daughter Victoria Hawley, her husband Jody Olson, their children Andrew Olson, his wife Melisa Olson, Maxwell Olson, his wife Clara Blakely, Kathryn Olson, and her husband Taber Turpin; son Stephen H. Hawley; daughter Kathryn Hawley Bush, her husband John Bush and their children Nathan Bush and Annie Bush.
During the last six and a half years of her life, Nell lived at Willow Park Assisted Living Center. Each year, she faced new physical challenges with courage, determination and an uncomplaining positive approach to life. Nell's family would like to extend special thanks to the Willow Park staff for enhancing the quality of Nell's life, and for providing compassionate care throughout her time there. The Hawley family would also like to recognize Amy and Jenny of First Choice Hospice for the extraordinarily loving and invaluable role they played in Nell's life.
At Nell's request, a private family service will be held Saturday, May 21 and she will be buried with her husband that same day. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Idaho Botanical Garden, the American Red Cross or the charity of your choice.

Published in Idaho Statesman on May 20, 2016


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