Sarah Hawkins Rieley

Stratham - Sarah Hawkins Rieley, 79, died peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2025 at her home in Stratham, New Hampshire. Sarah was born on September 10, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to James Robert Hawkins and Frances Beaman Hawkins. Sarah was raised in Cincinnati and graduated from Woodward High School in June of 1963 where she made lifelong friends, several of whom were bridesmaids in her wedding. Sarah studied nutritional health and science at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1967. Following graduation Sarah completed a dietetic internship in 1968 at the Cincinnati General Hospital. While at Miami, Sarah met fellow student Dick Rieley and they married in August, 1968. Sarah and Dick's first home was in Philadelphia, PA where Sarah worked as a registered dietitian for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, from September 1968 to June 1970. In 1972 Sarah and Dick moved to St. Charles, IL where their daughter, Margaret Burton Rieley was born in 1974. Dick's employment brought them back to Wellesley, MA in 1979, where their son, Warren Miles Rieley, was born in 1981. Sarah enjoyed reading and enjoyed her personal quiet time that resulted in working for both the Wellesley Free Library, Wellesley, MA and with the special periodicals group at Wellesley College for nearly 15 years. During this time Sarah pursued her birding interests with extensive group trips to Arizona, Texas, Alaska and Hudson Bay, Canada. She also enjoyed the birding-kayak adventure to Warren Island Bird Sanctuary in Penobscot Bay, ME As her children grew up, Sarah was very active with the local PTO, participating in gardening training trips, and supporting children's trip to the visiting circus. Sarah traveled to Australia to visit her daughter who was in a college sponsored study-abroad program for 6 months. And at home she was always involved in the children's competitive swimming program for many years. When Sarah and Dick moved to their new home near Great Bay, Durham, NH I, in December 1999, Sarah continued her love for wildlife with several birds including parrots (Lima and Marigold) in her plant room with many types of bonsai plants and flowering orchids. Day lilies were her passion for outdoor plants, covering her garden with many different types and colors of flowers. During this time Sarah began to volunteer as an environmentalist at the Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH, assisting with various events supporting the welfare of the coastal shores. These activities included a research program studying the growth of horseshoe crabs in the Piscataqua River tributaries. In a multi-year program Sarah assisted in the growth of oysters in Great Bay in an effort to clean up the bay from the infusion of fertilizer from local farms. Added to this Sarah was an active UNH Marine Docent, Tree Steward and an avid Master Gardener. Sarah loved being involved in helping the environment but never tried to push her opinion onto others. It was only important to her. Weekend trips when her children were young to Corn Hill Beach, Truro, Cape Cod, MA and Pamet Harbor had a major influence upon both of them for their environmental consciousness and wildlife awareness. Since 2021 Sarah and Dick have made their home in a condomium group, Stratham, NH. Sarah is survived by her husband, Dick, sister Mary Hawkins Roth and husband Jeff, Columbus, OH; Margaret Burton Rieley, and husband Sean Hagenbuch, grandchildren Cole, Ingrid and Celia, Bangor, ME; and son Warren Miles Rieley, and his partner Meera Rangarajan, Brighton, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made in Sarah's name to the SeaCoast Science Center, Rye, NH by clicking here.

Sarah Hawkins Rieley

September 10, 1945 - April 25, 2025