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RYE, N.Y. — Arlene DeAno Hawkins, 75, of Rye died in her sleep at home on Sept. 21, 2001. She was born May 25, 1926, in Oak Park, Ill., to Rocco James DeAno and Adele Dickman DeAno. She graduated at the top of her class from Proviso High School in Maywood, Ill., and in 1946 received her bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago.

She was married to Byron Hawkins on June 9, 1945, at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church — which had been built by her grandfather — in Bellwood, Ill. The early years of her married life were shadowed by her husband's service in the Marine Corps during WWII and the Korean War.

She lived in Rye for 44 years, where she was a professional calligrapher. While president of the Osborn PTA, she wrote "Let's Read About Rye", a volume that is used in the Rye school system. She was a charter member of the board of directors of the Rye Historical Society and one of the founders of the Rye Presbyterian Church nursery school and of the church thrift shop.

She served as an elder of the church from 1972 to 1975 and 1983 to 1986, and as Clerk of Session in 1985 and 1986. She worked for many years at Lighthouse Bookstore and later at the Village Bookstore, both on Purchase Street in Rye, and as an election inspector at the voting polls.

She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and as a woman whose generosity of spirit and service to others reached far beyond her family. Survivors include her husband, Byron; her three daughters — Christine (Mrs. Eugene E.) Schmidt of St. Charles, Ill., Janet Hawkins of Rye and Lauren Hawkins of Fayetteville; and four grandchildren — Karen, Peter, Katie, and Jonathan Schmidt.

Memorial services will be held later in Rye and in Chicago. Memorials may be sent to the Rye Historical Society or to the Rye Presbyterian Church.