Mary K. Hubbell

MARY KATHERINE HUBBELL, "Mary K", of Denver, Colorado passed away peacefully in her home on April 26, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. Mary K was born to Robert J. Hawkinson and Ethel J. Hawkinson on February 14, 1943, in Galesburg, Illinois. An independent and vibrant personality from the beginning, Mary K always felt that education was the key to success in life. After graduating Galesburg High School Mary K set her sights on the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. She was a cheerleader for the Iowa Hawkeyes and her spirit and support for the black and gold lasted a lifetime. Mary K graduated from Iowa in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree and moved to Galveston, Texas. She later went on to further her education at Texas Women's University in Houston to obtain her Master of Science in 1979. She also did graduate work at the University of Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana. Mary K taught at the collegiate and university level teaching Occupational Therapy courses at the University of Texas, Galveston TX, Texas Women's University, Houston, TX, Instructor of Kinesiology at Loretto Heights College, Denver CO, and even a weight loss program at the Lutheran Medical Center in Denver, CO. Mary K has always held education as a key to success in life and has created an Education Trust Fund for her 16 great nieces, nephews, and children. The impact and ability to better lives will be felt for generations. Mary K was married to Lt. Jim Hubbell, a captain in the Air Force on December 16, 1967, in San Antonio Texas. They later divorced amicably, and she moved to Denver Colorado to be closer to family. Mary K's lifelong passion was her work in hand rehabilitation. Starting in 1965 she stated that she "was asked to start a hand rehabilitation center because of her work ethic and dedication but truthfully knew little about it". However, she immediately began buying books, literature, and reading case studies to understand every aspect of the new emerging field. With her knowledge, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic she was instrumental in the development of the Hand Rehabilitation Clinic in St. Anthony Center in Houston Texas in 1972. She would later move on to Denver, Colorado where she established her own Center for Hand Rehabilitation opening three offices (Denver, Highland Ranch, and Littleton). She was always taking more classes and education seminars to stay on top of the ever-changing field and advancements in treatments and technology. Mary K had numerous accolades and achievements in her field, and she served on nearly every board, association or society that had to do with hand rehabilitation or limb preservation. She felt by doing so it "was a way to stay on top of the developments in the field and so she could better serve her patients". Mary K truly loved her job more than anything and said it never once felt like work to her, but more like a passion and she often could not wait to get to her office. After retirement Mary K devoted her time to visiting with friends and family. Mary K was the rock that held the family together and was always helping those in need and caring for everyone she knew. Mary K is survived by her nephews Craig Schwabauer of Carbondale, Illinois, Jim Hawkinson of Carterville, Illinois, Bob Hawkinson of Perryville, Missouri, and nieces Stephanie Schwabauer of Denver, Colorado and Becca Hawkinson of Springfield, Illinois as well as her two favorite companions "Annie" and "Nickie". She had numerous friends and caregivers who loved her deeply and spend the last few months with her Sister-in-law Arlene Hawkinson of Moline, Illinois, cousin Chris Daniel of Chaska, Minnesota, cousin Charlene Binek of Verndale, Minnesota, dear friend Pat Nolan of Avon, Colorado, and friend Jamie Pfahl of Denver, Colorado. She is preceded in death by her father Robert Hawkinson, mother Ethel Hawkinson, sister Judy Schwabauer, brother Dave Hawkinson and niece Kim Lanc. A graveside funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022, at East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg, Illinois. A small Celebration of Life Service was held in Denver at the Augustana Church on Alameda Avenue on May 13, 2022. If you’d like to honor her legacy, please donate to one of the following charities that she supported: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Augustana Lutheran Church, Limb Preservation Foundation Denver Colorado.