In Memory

Teresa Hickman (Hawkins)

TERESA HAWKINS OBITUARY

October 11, 1961 - April 5, 2023

Teresa Grace (Hickman) Hawkins was born on October 11, 1961, to Marlene Lee (Liptac) and Herbert Dale Hickman in Spokane, Washington, joining sisters Victoria (Jerry) Jackman and Deborah (Rick) Lewis. On April 4, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, she left this world for her next adventure.

Teresa grew up in Spokane and attended Mead High School. She belonged to the Spokane Club Swim Team as a teenager and qualified to compete in the nationals for the Olympics. The discipline and determination she exhibited then was a glimpse into how she would choose to live her life.

Teresa and her first husband, Karl Cereghino, married in 1980 and had Jared, Jasmine, and Jeremy. On July 8, 1995, she married the love of her life, Ron Hawkins. She said one benefit of being married twice was having more family to love.

Her legacy is her devotion to her children and grandchildren Treven, Avery, Elise Cereghino and Ahnyka, and Izavaylen Guice. She ensured plenty of love, magic, and laughter for all.

Teresa was naturally compassionate. After her children were in school, she returned to Spokane Community College to become an RN. Her patients, students, and co-workers felt her generosity and care. When instructing new CNAs, she said she focused on three things 1. Be kind; 2. Wash your hands; 3. Be kind.

To say Teresa had a strong will would be an understatement. She was fearless when faced with obstacles. She supported two of her children through the miracle of two-heart transplants, would willingly climb an un-navigable 4-wheel trail, and, in the end, faced a devastating cancer diagnosis with strength and grace. She persevered after losing her son, Jeremy, and other heartbreaking experiences by seeing the good in everyone and being grateful for family and friends.

She approached life as a memory-making adventure, whether camping, 4-wheeling, family dinners, trips to the Oregon coast, starting a neighborhood Easter egg hunt, or sitting around the campfire at her beloved Lake Thomas property. Christmas was a 12-month process of choosing the right gift for every person on her list.

Teresa was an animal whisperer who could entice birds and squirrels to eat food from her hand. She handed down her love of animals to her children and grandchildren. The family dog, Bolo, and her beloved cat, Elliot, will miss her snuggles.

Her wicked sense of humor was always on alert. She created family traditions like hiding "Creepy Clown" at family gatherings. Regular mundane chores would fuel ideas to create a fun memory. Her smile and raspy out-loud laugh will be missed.

Teresa was preceded in death by her parents and son, Jeremy.

She is survived by her husband, Ron Hawkins; son Jared Cereghino (Chelsea Good) and daughter Jasmine Cereghino Guice (Chuck); both sisters, Vickie and Debbie; nieces Cameon Jackman and Cherie (Jackman) McLaughlin. Her large extended family includes cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews from the Hickman, Hawkins, Whiteley, and Cereghino families. The family is also grateful for the love and support of family friend Rachel Brown.

Join family and friends to celebrate Teresa's life on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Northwest Wildlife Council, 6116 N. Market St., Spokane, WA. You can leave messages for the family at Neptune Society of Spokane (https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries.)

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spokesman/name/teresa-hawkins-obituary?id=51595529