MARY ELLEN (BAUDERS) HAWES GLESKE
1934-2017
Mary Ellen (Bauders) Hawes Gleske, 82, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away on October 16, 2017. Mary Ellen was born on December 7, 1934 in Belmore, Ohio to Paul and Charmion Bauders. She graduated from Zanesville High School in Zanesville, Ohio in 1952 and from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Liberal Arts Degree in 1956. While at Ohio Wesleyan, Mary Ellen pledged Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity where she made dear, life-long friendships. She received the Order of the Pearl Award in recognition of 60 years of Alpha Xi Delta membership.
After graduating college, Mary Ellen was employed as an assistant to the Food & Beverage Director at the Deshler Hilton Hotel in Columbus, Ohio. It is there that she met her future husband, William Mack Hawes. They married in December 1958 and together raised 4 children: Steve Hawes of Spring, TX; Sheri (Hawes) Curran of the Woodlands, TX; Teresa (Hawes) Bogatto of Houston, TX; and William Hawes of Austin, TX. Spouses are Michael Curran, Richard Bogatto, and Elizabeth (Cooper) Hawes. Her grandchildren are Matthew, Angela, Caitlin, and Amanda Curran, and Bryce Bogatto.
Mary Ellen and Bill Hawes were married for 43 years. Their lives were an exciting journey raising their children while Bill advanced his career in the hotel industry. They moved frequently through the years while Bill opened and managed premier hotel properties in Columbus (Ohio), San Francisco, Chicago, Hollywood (FL), and Houston. In addition to raising their family, Mary Ellen had a career as an administrative assistant, a real estate agent, and lastly as an inside sales representative for International Polymer Corporation. Her friendly, engaging nature made for a perfect fit in these professions.
Mary Ellen and Bill retired in the early 1990’s to enjoy being empty-nesters after years of hard work. Mary Ellen nursed and cared for her beloved Bill until his merciful passing due to Alzheimer’s Disease complications in September of 2001. In her graceful, quiet way, she taught her family lessons about unwavering sacrifice, eternal optimism, loving kindness, and mercy which they will carry with them always.
In 2005, Mary Ellen received a gift that would reenergize her life. Mary Ellen married Elmer (Al) Gleske of Annapolis, MD. Mary Ellen and Al had been college sweethearts at Ohio Weslayan University 53 years prior. They were able to enjoy their final retirement years together and were especially happy to have had that good fortune until Al’s passing in January of 2010.
Mary Ellen was generous with her time and talents throughout her life serving in various volunteer capacities in her church, children’s schools and extra-curricular activities, and neighborhood organizations. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a homeroom parent for each of her children, and president of the Fleur de Lis Garden Club. She was a faithful member of The Woodlands United Methodist Church for 30 years. She attended the Seniors Sunday school class and was a member of the Goldenaires choir. Mary Ellen had a passion for hobbies included gardening, reading, painting, travelling, and playing bridge.
Mary Ellen also had a large passion for sports. She loved the Astros, Rockets, and Oilers/Texans, and also adopted Bill’s beloved Ohio State Buckeyes as her lifelong favorite college football team. She had a special fondness for the LUV YA BLUE era of the late 70’s “because it was so much fun to be around here then” she would frequently say. In fact, her final days were spent watching the Astros in the playoffs with her family and silently rooting them on to finally win a World Series.
Mary Ellen put people at ease with her engaging personality. She was a kind-hearted woman that people were naturally drawn to. Mary Ellen had extreme patience and compassion. She was strong and smart and independent. She was an incredibly selfless role model for her family and taught them a great deal about what a Christian should be, influenced in part by her Methodist Minister father and grandfather, and also by her mother. Mary Ellen gladly helped her children navigate their lives, jobs, activities, hobbies, and sporting events, and she took genuine interest in the details of all of it. She had an amazing memory until the end and could recall minute details of life-changing or forgettable events easily. Her sincerity and caring nature was her greatest attribute.
Along with her children, their spouses, and grandchildren, Mary Ellen also leaves behind her brother Robert Bauders and his wife Rosemary (Shaker Heights, OH), and nephews David Bauders (Cleveland, OH) and Chris Bauders (Tampa, FL). She is preceded in death by her father Paul Samuel Bauders and mother Charmion Bauders.
Our family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the loving care given to Mary Ellen in her final days by Beatrice Ndum, Mary Arogo, and Hellen Munyua of Unlimited Care Cottages, and also the staff at Rose of Texas Hospice. Thank you for your loving and compassionate care.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2017, 6:00– 8:00 p.m. at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home, 18000 I-45 South. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. in the Robb Chapel at The Woodlands United Methodist Church, 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive. Following the service, guests are invited to the Jones Library at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Woodlands United Methodist Church or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research