Cheryl Ann Shackleton-Hawkins

THE LIFE-JOURNEY AND LEGACY OF C.A.S.H.

CHERYL ANN SHACKLETON-HAWKINS

May 30, 1958 – December 20, 2022

There is a season, a time appointed for everything, a time for every delight,

a time for every event, and every purpose under heaven—Ecclesiastes 3:1

Cheryl Ann Shackleton-Hawkins was born on May 30, 1958, in the Bronx, New York, at Morrisania Hospital, to the late Arnita Simons-Shackleton-Eason and Ch eryl’s biological Father, the late Roy Shackleton.  Cheryl’s Fath er, the late Gertis Eason, played a significant role in her upbringing.

Cheryl was educated in the New York State School System.  After graduating from Taft High School Annex in 1976, she attended the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY where in 1979 she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree.  Thereafter, Cheryl studied at the prominent Columbia University, in Manhattan, NY where in 1987 she earned a Certificate in Preservation Administration.

Cheryl stood out in the crowd.She was well accomplished, multi-talented, scholarly, adventurous, intell igent, and creative.  In 1986 Cheryl began her career as a Librarian with the New York Public Library, becoming a Senior Librarian and retiring after 34 years.  Cheryl spent ten of those 34 years serving at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.  She also held art, jewelry making, drawing and technology classes during her time there. In 2016 she received the NYPL Award for Technology Instruction.

Cheryl’s many hobbies and interests included: collage making, crocheting, doll making, gardening, genealogy, jewelry making, painting, parasailing, photogr aphy, skydiving, and most recently kite flying.  She enjoyed theater, dance, and all types of music, particularly jazz and the blues.  Billie Holiday and Gloria Lynn were among her favorites.  Also, Cheryl was captivated by colors; her most favorite color was red.

Cheryl reconnected with Maurice Hawkins in 1991, they dated, fell in love and after a year-long courtship, were united in Holy Matrimony on November 7, 1992.  They were blessed with three children, Ondrea, Ornette and Adora [Munchie], and twograndchildren.  Cheryl and Maurice lived together, laughed together and with passion, loved one another for over thirty years.  They shared a passion for the beach, where you could catch them parasailing, getting brown, or flying kites.  They enjoyed talking, dancing, listening to music, traveling, family functions, or just hanging out in their backyard alone or with family and friends. On June 7, 2003, while in Jamaica, West Indies, they fortified their Bond of Love when they renewed their marriage vows to each other.

On the afternoon of December 20, 2022, Cheryl transitioned to eternal rest.  Preceding her in death was her Mother Arnita Simons-Shackleton-Eason, her biological Father Roy Shackleton, her Father Gertis Eason, her Uncle Bubby, and her Uncle Cliff.  She leaves to cherish her memory a loving and devoted Husband of 30 years, Maurice Hawkins; her children: Ondrea Courtney Simone Hawkins-Long, Husband Shawmell, Ornette Coltrane Hawkins, Adora Arnita Hawkins; her Sister: Kim Ella Crawford, Husband Derek; her G randchildren:  Kyan King Long and Nyla Grace Long; her Nephew Elisha John Crawford; her Nieces: Kayla Joy Crawford and Nicole Dowling; her Sister-in-Law: Canies Jenkins, Husband Julian; her Aunts: Rosie Simons, and Aunt Beulah; her Uncles: Rachie and Sharif; her Cousins:  Robin Simons, Wife Rebecca, and Annette Irizarry, Husband Izzy, and a host of family and friends.

Humbly Submitted in Love, The Family

The true legacy of a woman is not how rich or famous you become rather how you’ve touched the lives of so many people in a positive way.

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