Rosemary Briere Hawk

of Bainbridge Island

November 20, 1947 – March 4, 2013

      Rose passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, after a seven year battle with cancer. In all those years she was never heard to complain about her illness.

      Rosemary was born in Renton, WA to Francis and Marceline (Schaut) Briere. She attended Saint Antoine’s school and Renton High School. After high school Rosemary attended the University of Washington and Portland State University. She also worked for Boeing during this period.

      In 1970, Rosemary journeyed to New York and fell in love with the city where she lived in Little Italy and worked for an accounting firm.

      1972 brought a move to Fresno, CA where her sister Jean Ann joined her. While in Fresno she met her future husband Charles Hawk. Soon after that she moved to Beverly Hills to take up a position with Mutual of New York. After a year of training, Rosemary was transferred to downtown Chicago in an executive position. 1976 brought a transfer to Seattle and a return to her birthplace, as well reuniting with her family and the Puget Sound that she loved.

      In 1978, she and Charlie were married at their home in North Seattle. While she continued to work for Mutual of New York in 1980, she and Charlie started a travel agency that would become his career. In 1983 they moved the agency to their home in Edmonds where they lived until 1988 when they moved to Bainbridge Island. Rosemary had retired from Mutual of New York by then, she taught water aerobics for the Bainbridge Parks & Recreation Department until 2006 when her illness forced her to retire.

      Rose was an accomplished potter, turning out many fine works. She was always very active with a large group of friends on the Island, they held monthly get-togethers to play games and socialize. Rose and Charlie traveled extensively to all seven continents and went on more than 50 cruises all over the world. She was always known for her upbeat personality and the ability to see the best in everything.

      Rosemary is survived by her husband, Charles, sisters Jean Ann and Paula, brothers James, William, Jerald and Thomas, along with 15 nieces and nephews.

      A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Bainbridge Parks & Recreation, PAWS of Kitsap County, or the charity of choice.

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