Hayden Ashley Hawkey

Hayden Ashley Hawkey of Mount Pleasant died on Thursday, September 12, 2024. Her life will be celebrated with a service at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel,1494 Mathis Ferry Road, at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. 

Hayden was born on October 3, 2003 in Mount Pleasant. Hayden was a beautiful young lady, inside and out. She greeted life with love, kindness, honesty, and a profound sense of humor. She overcame many challenges that she faced during her life as a result of having been born with Turner’s Syndrome. Brave and pure of heart, she seldom complained despite having to endure multiple surgeries and other health issues. 

Her perseverance led to many accomplishments, including graduating with her class from Wando High School in 2022 and attending the Dynamy Program in Massachusetts. Most recently, she embarked on an exciting adventure, starting her first semester at Coastal Carolina in the LIFE Program. She moved into her university dorm in August and was thriving. It was clear she was the happiest she had ever been and was living her best life, full of new friends, concerts, and classes - a college experience. Despite all of the fun she was having, she always made sure to Facetime her mom and her GG every day to fill them in on the joy in her life. 

Hayden’s exuberance and sense of humor were infectious. No one met Hayden and left without a smile on their face. She was always ready for a good time and loved being in the company of friends and family, often as the life of the party. She cherished her time spent with her GG and B-Da, doing everything from riding to the Awendaw trash dump in B-Da’s pick up to creating arts and crafts with her GG. She loved lifting other people up and was fiercely loyal to her friends. She reveled in the company of her girlfriends, but was also totally at ease hanging with “the boys”. Anyone that met her would comment on her kindness to others, her empathy, her joy of being on the water and her love of animals. 

Hayden loved her job and co-workers at Palmetto Moon and seeing friends and family members on their shopping excursions, always greeting them with her trademark smile.

Hayden loved all of her world travels with her family, which took her to Aruba, Mexico, Spain, France, Italy, and Scotland. 

When asked recently how she wanted people to describe her, she said “I want people to describe me as an amazing funny person with a good heart and someone who has good intentions with anything they do, and lovable.” Hayden certainly exceeded this goal. 

When asked to make a list of things that make her smile, she responded “…the beach, the boat, compliments, my pets, my parents, my grandparents, my family, traveling, swimming, food, comfy clothes, music, Lego building, sunny days, friends, stuffed animals, my home, my phone, acai bowls, new clothes, and hang outs.” 

When asked about who her role models were, she responded “…simply my parents because they are hard working. I have so much inspiration from their work ethic, their lifestyles, how they both are so caring for the people they love … how they are so loving towards me and would do anything for me. I also love my dad’s wittiness...my mom is so caring and passionate towards anyone she meets. 

Hayden is survived by her father, Brian Hawkey, her mother, Elliott Outlaw, and her step-father, Scott Gise, all of Mount Pleasant, SC; her maternal grandparents Virginia “GG” and William J. (B.J.) “B-Da” Outlaw, and her maternal aunt, Ashley Outlaw, all of Awendaw, SC; her paternal aunt, Dawn Hawkey-Czekalski (Dan); her paternal uncle, Blake Hawkey (Teresa), her step-grandparents, Charles and Joyce Gise, her maternal grand aunt, Nancy “Aunt Muggs” Wallace, and her cousins, Lori Dandridge Stoney, Croft Stoney, Patricia Walker (Allen), Caroline Rhett Hawkey, Keith Hawkey (Camille), and John Walker (Laura). She is also survived by her beloved dogs, Lola and Costa. Hayden was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Don and Mary Pat Hawkey, of Lugoff, SC; her aunt Caroline Rhett Hawkey of Charleston, SC, and her maternal great grandparents, William “B.C.” and Blanche Outlaw of Sumter, SC. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charleston Animal Society in Hayden’s memory, 2455 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

_____________________________________________________________