ATWATER VILLAGE TO CELEBRATE MARCH 26TH AS “BETTE MCMAHON HAWKINS” DAY

Bette McMahon Hawkins walking along
Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village, circa 1935

The Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce will be honoring long time resident Bette McMahon Hawkins by proclaiming March 26^th “Bette McMahon Hawkins Day”. Bette will be celebrating her 95^th birthday this month and the Chamber of Commerce wishes to recognize Bette’s enthusiastic joy for her wonderful life here in Atwater Village. 

About Bette:

Bette was born on March 26, 1916 just a short distance from Atwater in Edendale at the corner of Effie and Glendale Blvd. Her parents died when she was a baby, she was adopted by her mom’s sister and her husband, Dean and Dennis McMahon, who owned and operated McMahon Plumbing at 3423 Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village from 1932 to 1952.

Bette’s memories of her life in Atwater are filled with glowing details of a tight knit community a great place to raise children and to enjoy the closeness of family, friends and neighborhood activities. The McMahons made their home in Atwater as well as owning their plumbing business, Bette’s mother and father in law, Will and Francis Hawkins lived on Glenhurst Avenue and son Tim married Linda Baffa, the girl next door, Bette’s family ties and involvement in Atwater run deep.

 Bette married Tommie Hawkins at Holy Trinity Church on April 25, 1937 and she and Tommy raised their three children Tim, Jim and Sue here in Atwater Village. The kids attended Atwater Ave Elementary then Holy Trinity School when it opened in 1949. The Hawkins were involved in the community as volunteers for church events and Tommie became Scoutmaster and Bette Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 510.

Like many residents then and today the Hawkins were involved in the TV and movie industry. Tommie as a personal manager for TV and recording personalities, a property master on films and eventually head of the Prop Department at Desilu Studios and George Stevens Productions. Bette got her children into the picture business; she says it is in her blood. Her biological father was an original Keystone Kop and her grandfather was the art director for Charlie Chaplin’s studios. Her son Jimmy worked in many TV shows and movies playing with stars like Jimmy Stewart and Elvis Presley, Bette joined the Screen Extra’s Guild and had a long career as the stand-in for guest star actresses on various Universal TV shows.

Bette still loves living in Atwater, attending church at Holy Trinity and celebrating special occasions with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at her favorite Atwater restaurant the Tam O’Shanter.

Originally published on the Atwater Village Chamber of Commerce website

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