Lilli Henriksen Hawes, 91, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, at her home in Radford with her family by her bedside.
She was born in Haugesund, Norway, the daughter of the late Albert and Lava Henriksen. She lived through the invasion of Norway during WWII and assisted with care and nursing of the soldiers. After that time, she attended cooking school and she was known as “a good cooker.” She first came to the United States in 1958 as a buyer for G. C. Hall, founder of Hallmark, to open the first Scandinavian shop in Kansas City, Mo. She then immigrated to the United States in 1960 and married the love of her life, the late Dr. James William Hawes. They moved to Virginia in 1975.
She was a former member of the Saint Albans Auxiliary and a Red Cross volunteer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, three brothers and a sister. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Leslie Hawes and Alex Espinoza of Galax; grandchildren Anthony Hawes, and Erik Hawes Beverly and his significant other, Jessica; a special niece, Astrid Strømnes; and many other relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank her special family members, Donna Miller and Sandy Cooper, along with her caregivers for their special care of Lilli.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Dr. James and Lilli Hawes Scholarship – RU Foundation or to the charity of your choice.
The family received friends at her home from 3 until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020.
The Hawes family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
