Mona Carolyn Kewin Hilden-Beckwith's Obituary
Age 92, of Marshall, MI died on Dec. 5, 2015 at Oaklawn Hospital in Marshall, MI. Mona was born on June 23, 1923 in Hillsdale, MI, to Harry Corlett and Helen Cordelia (Stayner) Kewin. In 1925 her family moved to Jackson, MI. Her father was born in Ramsey, Isle of Man, England. He immigrated to the United States in 1911. Harry became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1925. Due to the laws in effect at the time Cordelia married Harry (1920), Cordelia lost her citizenship by marrying an English citizen. On February 19, 1927, Mona and her mother, sister, and brother became naturalized citizens of the United States. After the death of her father in 1937, the three children moved to Owosso, MI and resided with their uncle and aunt. Mona graduated from Owosso High School in 1941 and married Edward A. Hilden in 1946. In 1954 Mona, Ed, and their four children moved to Jackson, MI where their fifth child was born. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1961. After her divorce, Mona did child care and other jobs in the home so she could stay with her children. Eventually, she worked as the Admitting Supervisor at W.A. Foote Memorial Hospital for 21 years. Mona married Clifford T. Beckwith in 1980 and in 2006 they moved from Jackson to Albion, MI. Cliff died in 2008. Mona moved to Marshall in 2012. Mona was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Sarah Treat Prudden Chapter, Jackson, MI; Jackson County Genealogy Society (JCGS), Jackson, MI; Steuben County Genealogical Society (SCGS), Angola, IN. In addition to her passion for genealogy, Mona loved sewing and spent untold hours creating clothing for her children and grandchildren. She knitted, crocheted, and was well-known for her candy making. She was an avid reader. She had a sharp mind and a quick wit up until her final days. She excelled at math and thrived on crosswords and other puzzles. She enjoyed using the computer even into her 90s. She was a very stoic, strong-willed woman and was an example to all of overcoming adversity. Her family was the most important thing to her. From her orphan's point of view, she thought being a mother and a grandmother were the best jobs in the world. In addition to her husband, Cliff, Mona was preceded in death by her parents and infant brother, Jack D.; sister, Kathleen E. Joy; sons-in-law, Brian S. Chase and Randy S. Banister; granddaughters, Jacqueline A. and Melissa L. Hilden; dear friends, Fred and Mary Grace Taylor and Robert C. and Anita Jane Townsend. Mona is survived by her brother, George R. Kewin; children: Dallas C. H. Chase; Sandra K. (Dell) Ludwig; Lyle E. (Jean) Hilden; Jack L. Hilden; Jo Anne (William M.) Fittro; 14 grandchildren; 1 step-grandchild; 15 great-grandchildren; 9 step-great-grandchildren; 1 step-great-great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Joe and Fannie Macchia, Jr. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM December 31 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16036 N Old US-27, Marshall. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI at a later date. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are with the Nichols-Arthur Funeral Home of Michigan Center.
What’s your fondest memory of Mona?
What’s a lesson you learned from Mona?
Share a story where Mona's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Mona you’ll never forget.
How did Mona make you smile?