Cleora (Cleo) Sarah (Hawkins) Paro (81), resident of Bay Ridge Retirement Center, Traverse City MI died September 1, 2024 in her home.

Cleo was born October 30, 1942 to Donald Hall Hawkins and Iris Audra (Smith) in Kalispell MT. Cleo grew up in Proctor MT, living on the land her family settled in the late 1800's. Cleora met her future husband, John Francis Paro, her senior year of high school at Polson High School. They were later married in Cour d'Alene ID, June 8, 1965.

Cleo attended Northern Montana College in Havre Montana where she studied legal secretarial skills. After leaving college, Cleora worked for a law firm in Kalispell MT until John gained employment with the National Park Service in Glacier National Park.

Cleora and John shared a love of travel, adventure and making friends. During 56 years of marriage, Cleora lived in Glacier National Park (St Mary's MT), Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National Park (Moran WY), C&O Canal National Historic Park (Hancock MD), Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Empire MI), Gateway Park National Park (St Louis MO), Kingsley and Traverse City MI. Many long-lasting friendships were made, and after retirement, they took many road trips with, and to visit, friends they had made throughout the United States.

Cleo loved to create and was a very shy artist. She had many beautiful charcoal drawings that were kept in a book on the bookshelf she designed. She grew up knowing how to sew and was meticulous about her craft. There were always several projects in various stages of being "re-done" because they just didn't seem quite right.

Cleo grew up during a time when people socialized over a meal and games. Cleo never played a game without laughter and conversation. After John passed away, Cleo moved into Bay Ridge Retirement Village in Traverse City, and it was the friends made through games and social events, that helped to bring a sparkle back to her smile.

Cleo was preceded in death by her spouse, John, mother and father.

She is survived by her brother (Delbert/Rita Hawkins, Dayton MT), sister-in-law (Nora Paro, Kalispell MT), daughter, (Lynnette/Larry Shuman, Gaines MI), granddaughter (Sydney Debien/Patrick Shults, Olympia WA) and grandson (Spenser Debien, Gaines MI).

Please share your cherished memories of Cleo with her family at www.Reynolds-Jonkhoff.com