Evelyn Johnson Hawes, Author

Evelyn Johnson Hawes, whose storytelling career began early and ended with her death Aug. 14 in her eighth decade, once told an interviewer, "I'm aware there's a lot of tragedy, but I believe in hope. There must be hope."

And hope there was, in all her writing as in her life, which often was touched with illness.

From her first novel, written while she was at the University of Washington in the 1930s, through "The Happy Land" (1965), to magazine stories and nonfiction books, Mrs. Hawes preached what she practiced.

Her secret seemed to be resourcefulness, an ability to "create" her way out of any corner.

Mrs. Hawes' only child, Dr. Linda Hawes Clever of Mill Valley, Calif., said that when her mother was a child, she would charm neighborhood kids or family members to work for her: She told them stories as they did the dishes.

The young Mrs. Hawes - born in Colville, Stevens County, to a pioneer woman and an attorney who became a superior-court judge (W. Lon Johnson) - also led compatriots in escapades.

"One time Mom took a bet whether she could put a whole peeled, hard-boiled egg in her mouth," said her daughter. "She did, but her eyes bugged when she found she couldn't get it out. Finally she took a fork to it and insisted she had won the bet, which was only to get the egg in, not get it out!"

During World War II, Mrs. Hawes taught writing at the UW, her alma mater. As a young wife, when her husband's work took the family to Cincinnati, Mrs. Hawes also taught writing at the college level, gave speeches and enjoyed membership in groups such as the National League of American Penwomen.

She had stories published in The Saturday Evening Post, Redbook and the Ladies' Home Journal. And she won the National Award for Best Novel and the President's Citation.

"She lived the life of a professional woman when it wasn't the thing to do," said her daughter. "She took criticism for that. But she kept harmony in the home and did her work. She also volunteered at VA hospitals."

Mrs. Hawes suffered heart trouble, gastrointestinal trouble and major hearing loss but faced these difficulties with great courage, believing it was "awfully important to cope," according to her daughter.

The daughter said she sends her mother's books, which she calls "warm and caring," to friends who are facing spiritual or physical challenges.

"Mom was very sensitive, was good with words, and knew exactly how people felt," said her daughter. "And she had a great memory. She always said it was dangerous to know her because you might wind up in one of her stories."

Mrs. Hawes believed in young people, that they should be given credit for trying. She also believed in the power of humor.

In her book "Six Nights a Week," based on the life a retail executive, the heroine says, "Sex is easy, but an apartment is hard to find."

Other survivors include her husband, Nat Hawes of Lacey, Thurston County; her son-in-law, Dr. James Clever of Mill Valley; and her granddaughter, Sarah Lou Clever of New Haven, Conn.

Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 2 at the Panorama City Chapel in Lacey. Inurnment will be at a later date in Colville.

Remembrances may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 9219, Seattle, WA 98109.