Michelyn Cecile Giammalva Hawthorne

Michelyn “Mickie” Giammalva Hawthorne was born in Houston, Texas on the 18th of April, 1931. She passed away on April 21, 2026, three days after her 95th birthday. Mickie was one of two children born to her Italian- American parents. As a child, she loved to tease her brother Samuel and to help her parents in their small family-owned grocery store in Houston’s Sixth Ward. Mickie started preparing meals for her family at age 8 and went on to become a super hostess for numerous gatherings over the years where she enjoyed providing huge and frequent Italian meals for her family and friends. Mickie graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic School and St. Agnes Academy where she met many of her lifelong friends. After high school she attended the University of Houston and continued to date her high school sweetheart Robert “Bobby” Hawthorne. After tying the knot, together they operated Silver Street Grocery and endured time apart as Bobby served in the Korean War. Along the way, they had four children and moved to the Galleria suburbs where Mickie began working at Joske’s and then Neiman Marcus where she was a top sales associate for over 20 years. She loved coordinating outfits for many loyal clients and friends. Mickie loved fashion and never tired of shopping for just the right outfit for all the parties she loved to attend. After retirement, Mickie and Bobby enjoyed many wonderful trips with their friends and members of the 50’s Club. She was a member of various social and service organizations over many years including the Donne Di Domani Italian Women’s Club, St. Michael’s Sociable Seniors, and the West University Senior Services Bingo Group. She also loved weekly gatherings with her mahjong friends. Mickie was the ultimate “Mom”, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was always present through the years with a big and loving heart. She was one of a kind and will never be forgotten. Mickie and Bobby were married 69 years and absolutely cherished each other. Bobby loved to see her dressed up in numerous outfits and often called her “Miss Fashion”. Following the loss of her beloved Bobby, Mickie started a new chapter of her life at The Doliver of Tanglewood where she enjoyed socializing with a large group of friends at meals, classes and activities. She befriended many Doliver staff who adored her enthusiasm for arts and crafts activities, board games, cooking classes, sing alongs, local outings and bingo. Her time at Doliver was a highlight of her final years and we appreciate the kindness shown to her there by both staff and residents. Our family would like to extend a special and heartfelt note of gratitude and appreciation to her longtime caregiver LaLa who loved to call Mickie “Sunshine”. They developed a special friendship over their five years together that provided much joy and happiness to Mickie. We were also blessed with the caring help and affection of Dora, Dalhia, Mitzy, Victoria, Janice, Lena and Steen as well as several other wonderful caregivers over the years. Mickie is preceded in death by her husband Robert Hawthorne and her parents Tony and Josephine Giammalva. She is survived by her four children Raylene Hawthorne, Josetta Hawthorne, Robbi Chiara and her husband, Matt, and Robert Hawthorne, Jr. and his wife Adi, her brother Samuel Giammalva and his wife Cecile, her five grandchildren: Chris Chiara and his wife Michelle, Steven Chiara and his wife Rachel, Vincent Chiara and his wife Amelia, Laynna Burke Martinez and her husband Joshua, and Eric Hawthorne. Mickie adored her eight great-grandchildren Claire, Emily, Gianna, Mary, Gabriella, Matthew, River, and Rhett. Family and friends are invited to attend visitation from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd., Houston. Following Mass, lunch will be served in the parish hall at St. Michael’s from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 pm. The Rite of Committal will immediately follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Deep Waters Academy, a private non-profit Christian school founded by Mickie’s grandson Vincent Chiara and his wife Amelia. Address: Deep Waters Academy, 670 E. Medical Center Blvd., Webster, TX 77598.

Michelyn Cecile Giammalva Hawthorne

April 18, 1931 - April 21, 2026