Lois E. Hawbaker
July 23, 1921 –
<img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-30479" src="/assets/images/uploads/wp/2020/10/Libby-Hawbaker_2-2-100x123.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="123" />Lois Elisabeth (‘Libby’) Hawbaker, 99, of Sun City Center, Fla., passed peacefully into eternal life on October 6, 2020. Libby was born on July 23, 1921, in New Brighton, Pa., to William Frederick Rotzler and Mary Elizabeth Miller Rotzler. Libby and George, her husband of over 73 years, made Sun City Center their home in 1981 and moved to Sun Towers in 2010.
Libby loved her Lord, her family, and had a smile and a kind word for everyone. She was elected May Queen in college and graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., as valedictorian of her class with a major in English and a minor in music. After graduation, Libby taught English and music. When World War II ended, she married her college sweetheart, George, and they settled in Hagerstown, Md. Libby was very involved with the schools and her family and in many organizations that helped better the community. She and George hosted multiple visitors from foreign countries through local programs. When George made a career change, working for the U.S. State Department, Libby was George’s best asset. She dove into learning Portuguese and the culture before being posted to their first country in South America, Brazil. Libby also supported George in his later posts in the African countries of Nigeria, Zambia and Mauritania. She got involved in the communities, often teaching English in one of the local high schools or as a second language. She also entertained to support her husband’s responsibilities. Libby was also dedicated to helping the local ladies learn how to make healthy, nutritious meals for their families and care for their babies and young children.
Libby is survived by her daughter, Ruth Rowe of Winter Springs, Fla.; son, Lynn Hawbaker (Maryellen) of Bettendorf, Iowa; brother-in-law, David S. Hawbaker of Allison Park, Pa.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and many dear relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George D. Hawbaker, of Sun City Center in 2019; as well as her three siblings: William Rotzler of Marshall, Texas; Ruth Rotzler of Sun City Center, Fla.; and Paul Rotzler of Greensburg, Pa.
A celebration of life will held at a later date in Pennsylvania where both Libby and George will be buried. The family asks that anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Libby can do so to the church that Libby and George loved and attended, Friendship Baptist Church, 1511 El Rancho Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Please include your name and address with any donations so that the family can thank you personally.
Libby loved her Lord, her family, and had a smile and a kind word for everyone. She was elected May Queen in college and graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., as valedictorian of her class with a major in English and a minor in music. After graduation, Libby taught English and music. When World War II ended, she married her college sweetheart, George, and they settled in Hagerstown, Md. Libby was very involved with the schools and her family and in many organizations that helped better the community. She and George hosted multiple visitors from foreign countries through local programs. When George made a career change, working for the U.S. State Department, Libby was George’s best asset. She dove into learning Portuguese and the culture before being posted to their first country in South America, Brazil. Libby also supported George in his later posts in the African countries of Nigeria, Zambia and Mauritania. She got involved in the communities, often teaching English in one of the local high schools or as a second language. She also entertained to support her husband’s responsibilities. Libby was also dedicated to helping the local ladies learn how to make healthy, nutritious meals for their families and care for their babies and young children.
Libby is survived by her daughter, Ruth Rowe of Winter Springs, Fla.; son, Lynn Hawbaker (Maryellen) of Bettendorf, Iowa; brother-in-law, David S. Hawbaker of Allison Park, Pa.; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and many dear relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, George D. Hawbaker, of Sun City Center in 2019; as well as her three siblings: William Rotzler of Marshall, Texas; Ruth Rotzler of Sun City Center, Fla.; and Paul Rotzler of Greensburg, Pa.
A celebration of life will held at a later date in Pennsylvania where both Libby and George will be buried. The family asks that anyone wanting to make a donation in memory of Libby can do so to the church that Libby and George loved and attended, Friendship Baptist Church, 1511 El Rancho Drive, Sun City Center, FL 33573. Please include your name and address with any donations so that the family can thank you personally.