Cheryl Hawkinson-Melkun, 56, of Fredericksburg passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2012.

She was born Nov. 8, 1955, to Elden and Elaine Hawkinson of West Hills, Calif. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from California State University, Northridge. Cheryl furthered her education on the East Coast, receiving her master's degree in English in 1983 from University of Maryland, College Park.

After moving to Fredericksburg, she became an influential professor and mentor at the University of Mary Washington.

A lifelong academic, she eventually returned to the University of Maryland. Her family watched as she worked diligently on her dissertation titled "Meeting the Needs of the Nontraditional Student: A Study of the Effectiveness of Synchronous Online Writing Center Tutorials" and earned her Ph.D. in 2010.

She is survived by her family: Keith, Charlotte, Jared and Hannah Melkun; her parents, Elden and Elaine; and brother Kent.

Cheryl will be remembered most for her supportiveness, intelligence, love of the sport of swimming, and a true desire to make a difference in her family's and students' lives.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 22, at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. A service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Burial will be private.

Condolences may be sent to mullinsthompsonfreder icksburg.com.