Gael Mohan Hawkins, 80, of Ocracoke, passed away peacefully Monday morning, August 10, 2026, surrounded by family.
She was the wife of the late Bill Miller.
Born October 6, 1945, Gael was a daughter of the late Robert “Bob” J. Mohan and Helen M. “June” Mohan.
She received her undergraduate degree in art history from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va. She also earned a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion, Norfolk, Va.
Gael’s parents first visited Ocracoke Island in 1972, and they all soon fell in love with the village.
Bill and Gael were married on Ocracoke and visited frequently before choosing to retire there permanently after long careers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Gael became a valued member of the village as a co-manager of the Ocracoke Village Thrift.
She and Cindy Fiore had Red Turtle Studio, from which they sold their hand-crafted jewelry.
Gael had a steadfast love for her feline friends and was instrumental in the revitalization of Ocracats, Inc. in 2010, a nonprofit volunteer group who manages the feral cat population on Ocracoke.
Through the years, Gael arranged for Dr. Howard Johnson of Boone to come to the island, sometimes twice a year, to hold trap-neuter-release clinics.
This connection to a veterinarian was critical to the success of the Ocracats TNR program.
Gael unwaveringly served the Ocracats, fostering dozens of kittens at her home, providing a safe haven for ill or injured cats while they recovered, writing notes of thanks for donations, ordering Ocracats merchandise for fundraising, and always providing food and shelter for the colony of cats that have lived at her house for decades.
The love she gave the cats was constant, and if anything was needed, Gael found a way to get it. Her own two cats, Sydney and Olympia, loved her dearly and kept Gael on her toes with their antics.
Gael had many special friends whom she enjoyed hosting in her home for a glass of wine. She laughed easily and greeted everyone with an enthusiastic, “Well, hi!”
Her rosewater-scented hugs were a comfort to her friends and family, and her deep appreciation of art and travel will be remembered by those who loved her.
Gael is survived by her daughter, Shawn Edmonds (Dan) of Texarkana, TX; her sister-in-law, Jane Banks (John) of West Jefferson, NC; three stepdaughters, Jeannine Forrest (Braedon) of Hampton, VA; Carla Cline of Norfolk, VA; and Kristy Matthews (Bill) of Garden City, SC; ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren; her cousin, Susan Minner (Gerald) of Milford, DE; and their son, Josh (Nicole) and their children, Bodie and Caroline of Milford, DE.
Per her wishes, there will be no funeral service. A family and friends gathering will be held at a later date on Ocracoke Island.
The family suggests donations in Gael Hawkins’s name be made to Ocracats (http://ocracats.org), P.O. Box 993, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks, is assisting with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared on Gael’s obituary page at www.TwifordFH.com.