Judith L. Flachbart
February 4, 1941 ~ July 23, 2023
Judith L. (Hawkes) Flachbart, 82, went to dwell in the Lord’s House on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the Hathorne Hill Rehab in Danvers. She was the beloved and devoted wife of the late Robert Kendall Flachbart for 29 years.
The daughter of the late Stephen and Myrle (Greene) Hawkes, Judy was a lifelong Danvers resident who graduated from Holten High School in 1959. She furthered her education at Salem State College, obtaining both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in elementary education.
Judy began her teaching career in Danvers in 1963 at the Highlands School. Over the forty years she spent in the classroom, she moved on to the Tapley School, Smith School, Thorpe School, and Riverside School. While those varying posts produced lots of moving boxes, she loved each assignment.
In fact, her life was really in the classroom, and the myriad of students, colleagues, parents, and administrators she met and worked beside during her tenure in the Danvers Public Schools meant so much to her. Her late husband also joined in several school activities and brought delight to many students by his visits.
Judy was a lifelong member of the Holy Trinity United Methodist Church in Danvers, and her love of singing drew her to the church choir at a young age. Her love of church hymns remained with her until her passing.
She leaves two nephews, Bryan T. Hawkes of Peabody, Jeffrey R. Hawkes and his wife Kerrie of Mount Pleasant, MI, and her niece Robyn Judith Hawkes and her husband Jacob Cohen of Burbank, CA, and her special cousin, Cynthia Hawkes Meehan with whom she could share many wonderful memories of childhood. Judy’s family is most appreciative of Judy’s caretaker, Lois Nicholson, as well as Julie, Dotty, Mike, Pam, and Bob ‘the dog man” who were always there to support her.
She was predeceased by two beloved brothers, Timothy Hawkes and Robert Hawkes, and will be missed by her dear cat, “Kitty.”
Her funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at noon in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10AM-11:45AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Operation Troop Support, 16 Trinity St., Danvers MA 01923 or a veteran charity of your choice. To share an expression of sympathy with Judy’s family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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Judy molded not only my teachinh career, but life. She and her family took me into their home and hearts. So many memories from singing around the piano at the Tapley School, watching Days of our Lives, bussing through Norway, Bruins games to scrapping 8 layers of wallpaper in her first apartment. Rest in peace, my friend.
Judy and I were friends for 70 years. I think that we were both alums of the Tapley school although she was a couple years ahead of me. As I recall, she and I worked together at Vic‘s drive-in with some other lovely Danvers friends and classmates. She was always cordial and I will miss her as a friend even though the last few years, I didn’t see her often enough. A fine lady. Farewell, Judy.
When I first met Judy she was a Reading Specialist and such a wealth of information! Her work ethic was among the very best! She was so devoted to her students and was a lifelong learner, always ready to grow and adapt her skills. The last years of her extensive teaching career were in first grade, and those students were so very fortunate to have Judy as their teacher… I am sure many young people will be very saddened by her passing as will many, many teachers who worked with her. Judy was one in a million! She will be missed…
Whenever Cousin Judy spoke to me or shared a laugh, either around the living room l, Thanksgiving, or on the hiking trail, I always felt she was teaching me something, with confidence, dignity, intelligence, joy, and pride. Miss (but will always remember) that spirit! Rest in peace and joy, Judy.