Barbara Hawkins Haupt, born July 12, 1936, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026 with family by her side.
Born in Wilmington, Del. to Walter and Muriel Churchman, Barbara was proud of her family’s history; travelers on I-95 who pass the exit for Churchman’s Road still see the family name today. She spent her early childhood in Chestertown, Md. before moving to Kennett Square, Pa. after being tragically orphaned at age 12.
After graduating from Kennett High School, Barbara attended the College of William & Mary in Virginia and later earned a master’s degree from Marshall University in West Virginia.
In 1959, she married Richard L. Hawkins, beginning a 30-year partnership marked by love, adventure, and a shared dedication to education. Their lives took them from West Virginia to Delaware and ultimately to Maine in 1972, where Richard served as principal of South Bristol School and Barbara taught language arts in Bristol. Inspired by her daughter Kathleen’s passion for gymnastics, Barbara became a girls’ gymnastics judge and eventually earned a national ranking. Their final move came when Richard accepted a position in Phippsburg and Barbara began teaching in Freeport. Sadly, a few years after moving to the Brunswick area to be closer to their jobs, Richard passed away from cancer.
In time, life brought her a second great love. Reconnected with a high school friend who had also settled in Maine, Barbara married Cary Haupt at age 54. With Cary came a new passion – dogs. Together, they immersed themselves in the world of field-bred English cockers, a journey that culminated in their induction into the Field Trial Hall of Fame at the National Bird Dog Museum in Grand Junction, Tenn. in February 2025.
Barbara’s life held great joys and difficult losses, including the passing of her son, Richard Hawkins Jr. in 2009, and her husband Cary in 2024. Through everything, she remained defined by her energy, her passions, and her indomitable spirit. Family and friends were always at the center of her life. Her passing leaves a profound void, but her spirit, her teachings, and her joie de vivre will remain with all who knew her.
She is predeceased by Richard Hawkins; her son, Richard Hawkins Jr.; Cary Haupt; and in-laws, Harold Hawkins, Richard Sines, Flo and Dave Jones, Charles Haupt, Jaye Haupt Sierer, Roy Haupt, Charlotte Haupt, and Robert Sierer.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen LaBree (Kevin), of South Thomaston; her sister-in-law, Martha Sines, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; her brother-in-law, Lee Haupt (Judy), of Virginia; her daughter-in-law, Kate Hawkins, of Yarmouth; her daughter-in-law, Terry Augerot (William), of Charleston, S.C.; her daughter-in-law, Paige Marra (Ted), of Melfa, Va.; her grandchildren, Kyle Weaver (Katie), of Gorham, Christine Hawkins, of Saco, Ryan Hawkins (Catherine), of Burlington, Vt., Michael Hawkins, Chelsea LaBree (Ebi), of Union, Will Augerot, of New York City, N.Y., Peter Augerot, of Charleston, S.C., and Ben Marra (Anna), of Melfa, Va.; and her great-grandchildren, Brooks Weaver and Olivia Day.
Barbara’s final chapter was played out at Bartlett Woods in Rockland, where she immersed herself in the activities and wonderful companionship. She even started her own exercise class at the age of 88!
A celebration of this magnificent life will be held on July 12, 2026.
To share a memory or condolence with Barbara’s family, please visit their book of memories at bchfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, in Rockland.
