Alexandra Hawes

Alexandra (“Suda”) Hawes - 65

Suda was born December 11, 1952, the third of four children, the only daughter of Belarussian immigrants Nick and Helen​ Hrebien.  She grew up on Second Avenue in Phoenixville across from Reeves Park, and ​graduated from ​PAHS in 1970, going on to ​study Fashion Design at Drexel University.  ​She is survived by husband David, son Bradley and wife Charlotte (Orlando, FL), brother Leon and wife Danuta (Valley Forge), brother George and wife Pam (Anaheim, CA), and brother Victor and wife Diane (Georgetown, DE).  The diminutive of Alexandra is Shura, but most childhood friends couldn’t roll ​the R, and ​the simpler “Suda” became her forever nickname.

​She met David via her oldest brother Leon, who shares the same birthday and birth year as David. David met Leon in 7th grade at Memorial Junior High School (now Barkley Elementary School).

​Suda married David on May 29, 1973​ in Pottstown, PA at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church​.  They lived in Upper Darby from 73-75​, then​ ​moved to Phoenixville ​and ultimately to ​Camp Council Road in ​East Pikeland Township in 1977​,  where the family remains today​.​  Her son Bradley was born on February 14, 1980, her “valentine.” She was incredibly proud of him in everything he did​, including graduating from Auburn University with an engineering degree and moving on to a successful career.​

​Her favorite places were warm, sunny ​locations where you could find pelicans and palm trees​.  She found complete satisfaction sitting in the warm air, feeling the breeze, and enjoy​ing​ a book on ​the porch or ​at the beach.​  Her favorite activities included long car trips to Auburn, AL while Bradley was in college​, roller coasters, arts and craft fairs, cracking Blue Point crabs on the dock at Rock Hall, MD, Turner Classic Movies on TV, and solving jigsaw puzzles.  She was known for creating wonderful holiday season ​"Suda's Sweets,"which were sent to friends and family around the world.  These highly anticipated deliveries became the foundation of family traditions over the years.  Other hobbies ​included​ crossword puzzles (routinely solving​ the NYTimes Sunday puzzle​ without erasing), reading​ any book within reach​, ​caring for ​her pet​s​, gardening, gourmet cooking, ​and ​travel. ​By far, her most enjoyed trip was ​a surprise river cruise in 2014 from Amsterdam to Budapest.

S​uda was a mentor and friend to countless people​ as evidenced by her involvement in community organizations​. Her passions ​centered on ​supporting the Soroptimists in both Pottstown and Phoenixville, and supporting the local Cancer Survivors ​groups.  ​Having successfully fought Non-Hodgins Lymphoma​ after being diagnosed in 1999, ​she subsequently became very active in the survivors’ organization, both for her own coping​, ​but also for helping others through their struggles.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 355 St. John's Circle, Phoenixville, PA on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 11:00 am.

Burial will be private.

A visitation will be held at the Church on Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Condolences may be given at www.GatchaFuneral.com.

Arrangements are by Devlin Rosmos Kepp & Gatcha Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Soroptimist International of Phoenixville @ www.soroptimistpxv.com or Soroptimist International of Pottstown, P.O. Box 152, Pottstown, PA 19464.