Mae-Ellen V Sawin

Mae-Ellen Hawley Sawin, 92, formerly of Northwood, returned to her heavenly home. She passed away peacefully October 2, 2015, surrounded by family.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at Conner Colonial Chapel (1008 First Avenue South; Northwood, IA 50459) on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. with Interment at Sunset Rest Cemetery, Northwood, Iowa.

Mae-Ellen Hawley Sawin was born May 12,1923, born to Albert Eugene Hawley Sr. and Martha Catherine (Madison) Hawley May 12, 1923 in Delaware, Ohio. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois and attended Parker School. She lived in Minnesota and Wisconsin in her young adult years and married Lawrence Helbig, and they later divorced.  On January 25, 1955 she and her son, and Willis A. Sawin and his daughter, formed a family and were married.  Within the next few years they completed their family with two more children. They resided on a farm five miles East of Northwood, IA and in the Northwood area for 42 years. Following Willis’ death, she moved to Newton, Iowa to live near her son. In 2003, she moved to Utah until the time of her passing.

She was active in her faith throughout her life in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist churches.  At the time of her death, she continued her faithfulness to Christ, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She lived a loving life, and faced her trials with strength, courage, and prayer. Those who knew Mae-Ellen described her strongest qualities as cheerful, optimistic, inclusive, and caring.

She is survived by her four children, Gerald (Jamie) Sawin of Newton, Iowa;  Alice (Craig Vaughn) Sawin of Cedar Falls, Iowa;  Shirley (Timothy Clay) Sawin of Platte City, Missouri; Nancy (John) Beal of North Ogden, Utah, 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and her two brothers, Albert Eugene Hawley Jr. and Harold Wilson Hawley Sr.

Additional memorial services will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in Utah (575 East 3100 North; North Ogden, UT, 84414). Messages, memories, stories, and well-wishes can be posted on AARONSMORTUARY.COM. or at Colonial Chapels.Com. The family expresses appreciation to Socorro, Tammy, and Jamie from Essential Care, and the Ogden Regional Hospital staff for the loving care of Mae-Ellen.