HAWK MECHELLE ANN
47, of Slippery Rock, PA, passed away at 6:18AM on July 23, 2009, with her family at her side at her home. She was a beautiful, strong, principled, courageous, and loving woman, who, while defeated by colon cancer at the tender age of 47, never once surrendered in her three year long battle with the disease. Throughout her life Mechelle was a caring pillar of strength and a moral compass for her children, Austin and Kyle, and the hundreds of music students whose lives she touched. Mechelle earned Music Education Degrees from Western Illinois University and Youngstown State University. She was a Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University for 19 years. She was an active mother in her sons' sports and musical organizations, enjoyed playing the flute, directing and playing in her church handbell choir, loved the beach, and loved her dogs dearly. Mechelle was loved and respected by all who knew her and will be terribly missed by those who have survived her, including her bereaved husband, Stephen. Mechelle was born on September 28, 1961 in Pekin, IL to Ernest Tassart, Jr. and the late Pauline Rinaldo Tassart. She married Stephen Hawk on January 6, 1984 in Ottawa, IL. Surviving are her husband, Stephen L.; two sons; Austin M., and Kyle W.; one step son, Christopher S., and one step daughter in law, Sandra, of Morris, IL; her father Ernest Tassart, Jr., of Pekin, IL; two sisters; Janet Greenway and Diana Miller, both of Pekin, IL; her mother-in-law, Betty J. Hawk, of Ottawa, IL and many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-9PM on Friday, July 31st at the: SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 421 New Castle Street, Slippery Rock, PA 16057. There will be a Memorial (Celebration of Life) Service in Swope Music Hall on the campus of Slippery Rock University on Saturday, August 1st, at 1:00PM, presided by Rev. Dr. Thomas J. Bodie and Rev. Thomas Gomola. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mechelle Hawk Music Education Scholarship c/o: SRU Foundation Office, 100 Old Main, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.