Elaine Downing Hawpe

Elaine Downing Hawpe died on June 3, 2017.  She was 82. 

Ms. Hawpe was born in Milford, DE, the daughter of the late Fulton and Anna Downing.

She graduated from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA in 1958.  She received a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education in 1980.

For two years Ms. Hawpe taught English as a Second Language to Chinese University students in the People’s Republic of China by participating in a program offered by the English Language Institute/China (ELIC).  ELIC is a Christian organization which recruits and trains individuals to teach.  In 1991, she taught at Anhui Institute of Education in Hefei, and in 1992 at the University of Petroleum in Dongying. 

She retired from the Department of Corrections as a Life Skills teacher in June  2000.  She also taught for many years in the DE School system as a special education teacher.

After retirement Ms. Hawpe worked part-time at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover as a Job Development Specialist from 2000-2003.  She attended Three Stones Church in Wyoming, DE.   

She is survived by a daughter, Ann O’Bier Ferentinos of Chadds Ford, PA, a son, Gregory O’Bier of Garrett Park, MD, a sister, Frances Baker, of Lewes, DE,  and grandchildren; Dominic, Alexa, and Demetri Ferentinos.

Service will be 11:00 a.m. Wed, June 7 at the Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W. Camden-Wyoming Ave. where viewing will be one hour earlier.  Burial will follow in Barratt’s Chapel Cemetery, Frederica. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Delaware Hospice, 911 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901.

Letters of condolences can be sent via www.pippinfuneralhome.com

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