Ila Hawkes was born in Flint, Michigan. The family moved to Oregon during the Great Depression, eventually settling in Salem. Ila volunteered at Salem General Hospital while attending Salem High School during the 1940’s where she was class valedictorian.

 

She attended Willamette University and lettered in Basketball, then transferred to the University of Oregon and studied Pre-Med. There she met, fell in love with, and married Charles Hawkes, an Architecture student. Together they had 3 daughters and one son. The family lived in Salem, as well as the Brush College, Zena countryside. The couple divorced after 25 years of marriage.

 

Ila returned to college in her late forties and received a degree in nursing and an RN License. She moved to Portland and worked at OHSU for over 2 decades.

 

She was a kind and generous soul, loved good mystery novels and DVD’s, found time to donate her time to Meals on Wheels, and rescued many cats during her lifetime. She was an amazing seamstress, gardener, cook and baker. We will miss the Birthday, Thank You and Holiday pies.

 

Actively involved with her children and grandchildren, she also enjoyed traveling with her family and friends.

 

She is predeceased by her parents, brother Richard, and son Wes. She is survived by one brother, 3 daughters, 6 granddaughters, 2 great granddaughters, and 1 great grandson, and nieces and nephews.

 

A private celebration of life featuring ice cream will be held at a later date. Remembrances can be made in her honor with Oregon Humane Society or Meals on Wheels.