Estelle Charbonneau Hawkins' Obituary
Estelle Charbonneau was born to Joseph Charbonneau (AKA, Pepere) and Andrea Côté-Charbonneau in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on October 12th, 1938; her father’s side was a 1st generation migrant family of French-Canadian descent that set deep lasting roots in the surrounding New England cape areas. Estelle was the quintessential first-born child of five intellectually gifted children, each keenly independent and uniquely spirited, and all having large personalities, zesting with life and able to debate fluently in French, and English. Fundamentally common to Estelle and her siblings during their childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood years, was their formal Catholic education, which characteristically formed their love of the Church.
Estelle began her childhood parochial education attending kindergarten and first grade at St. Anthony School in New Bedford, up until her mother, Andrea, died in August of 1945; she was moved to St. Joseph Orphanage in Fall River, Massachusetts for second grade until she could return back to St. Anthony to complete grades 3-8. Quickly becoming an accomplished learner, she attended high school at Notre Dame des Anges in Montreal for three years, then again returned home to finish her Senior year of high school at St. Anthony, graduating in 1956. Eventually seeking to become a grade school teacher, Estelle attended Bridgewater State College for three years, before she married Joseph Rene Phillipe Charbonneau in 1959; she continued on to complete her B.S. in Education degree at State College at Westfield in 1960.
As fate would have it, or maybe simply that opposites attract, gregarious Estelle and shy Joe Charbonneau shared an honored and devoted relationship of deep love and respect that was obviously apparent in their daily prayers and lasted throughout to the end of their married lives. In early marriage, Estelle was a dedicated Air Force wife and mother, which required periodically moving about the United States, as typical military families do. A mother of four children, she volunteered in schools, PTAs, Scouts, military events, and taught Religious Education classes. She was active with the “Ladies of the Chapel” at various USAF Base Chapels. In 1974, Joe retired from 20 years of active military service, and Estelle and Joe then relocated their family to 6434 Burgundy Street in San Diego California (amazingly Estelle lived her remaining life in the beauty and festivities of San Diego’s Mission Valley for over 46 years!).
For the first ten years in San Diego, Estelle taught first and second grades in Catholic Schools. Unfortunately, twelve years after his retirement from the Air Force, Joe passed away from cancer in 1986.
Looking toward a start fresh, Estelle left teaching and began working as a Clerical Supervisor in Child Protective Services for San Diego County, which lasted for the next 16 years. In 1993, Estelle married her longtime companion, Thomas Hawkins, a lifelong San Diegan. Together, they enjoyed life into Estelle’s retirement years, staying busy traveling on guided tours far and wide, enjoying many international cruises, often traveling to Florida to visit her father, and to various parts of the US to see the eight adult children they shared. Estelle and Tom also enjoyed many Padres and Charger events in Mission Valley, playing cards, theater/music events, volunteer church groups and having fun. Besides playing with her Red Hat Elegant Sisters as Founding Queen Estelle, she was active serving Mission San Diego for over forty years. She worked at the Mission Gift Shop, joined the over 50 group, the Missionaries, the Renew Prayer Group, Bible study group, counted money, and volunteered at Kaiser Hospital for nine years.
In 2010, Tom passed from ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease) and sadly Estelle was widowed again. She eventually sold her home on Burgundy Street and moved in retirement to the Nazareth House in San Diego in 2017. She loved her peaceful and prayerful life at Nazareth, never missing a mass, or a rosary. Estelle slipped away peacefully surrounded by family and prayer at Scripps Mercy Hospital after a brief illness on August 19, 2022.
Estelle is best remembered as a kind person with a deeply loving soul devoted to others. She was generous with her time, energy, spirit of joyful fun, and an asset to any group. Well-known for her hats, headbands, colorful attire and illuminated pins, she literally lit up any room with fun and silliness. Named Estelle, which means Star, for good reason, she was the star about which others in the room rotated. We will miss her shining personality.
Estelle is survived by her three youngest children: Paulette Beckner of Clearlake, CA; Nicole Johnson (Doug) of Atascadero, CA; Michael Rene Charbonneau (Polly) of Mechanicsburg, PA.
Her oldest, Suzanne Charbonneau, of San Diego passed in 2019.
Six grandchildren: Kevin Fischbeck (Nicole) of El Cajon; Ryan Beckner of Clearlake, CA; Aimee Jo Beckner of TN; Jill Marie Johnson of San Luis Obispo, CA; Joseph Robert Johnson of Stanford, CA; and Joseph Timothy Charbonneau of Mechanicsburg, PA.
Four great grandchildren: Milo Fischbeck and Ezra Fischbeck, of El Cajon, CA; Kruger Lawless and Blair Dalton, of Tennessee.
She is also survived by her brother Gerry Charbonneau (Sue-deceased) of Rhode Island, Denise Pellitier (Leo) of Peoria, AZ.
Brothers Andre B. Charbonneau of New York, and Rev. Paul L. Charbonneau csv Missionary, are both deceased.
She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Estelle’s rosary and funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 2, at 12:00 noon at St. Francis Chapel behind Mission San Diego. A light reception will follow at St. Therese Church, 6400 Saint Therese Way, San Diego, CA 92120.
Donations can be made to Sisters of Nazareth, 6333 Rancho Mission Rd, San Diego, CA 92108
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