In Memoriam of Ms. Sarah F. Hawes

It is with the sincerest gratitude that we accept an estate gift from Ms. Sarah Hawes.  Pictured above is Ms. Hawes with her beloved Midas.

  Sarah Frances Hawes was a lifelong resident of Texas.  An English major in college, Sarah used her language expertise as a school teacher before becoming a technical editor for the research lab at Texaco in Port Arthur for nearly two decades.  She returned to the educational sector as an academic advisor at the Lamar Campus of Texas State University.  Outside of work, Sarah was an avid flower gardener, a reader of literature, and an expert in the needle arts of quilting, cross-stitch, needlepoint, and embroidery including bead and crewel work. 

  In terms of volunteerism, Sarah’s primary focus was felines, adoring every aspect of the species – graceful movement, wide-ranging intelligence, and beautiful eyes.  So in tune with the feline species was she that many people joked Sarah had been a cat in a previous life.  She spent countless hours and significant funds trapping cats for release after spaying/neutering, finding homes for cats with the requisite demeanor for placement, and as the advisor to the university campus animal rescue organization.  There also were a dozen very lucky felines over the years who became Sarah’s feline companions at her home.

  Sarah died unexpectedly in February 2022.  The primary beneficiary of her will was to feline organizations selected by the estate executor.  Operation Catnip was chosen as a recipient due to its intense mission focus on reducing the population of community cats with a highly efficient use of the organization’s financial resources.  

  Sarah’s primary character strengths were kindness, a love of learning, a balanced perspective, and zest.  She is very missed, but her spirit lives on in every cat saved due to her great generosity to felines in her estate.

(Biography prepared by the estate of Sarah F. Hawes)