Betty (Babe) Hawk, 79, of Burns, passed away on Sept. 18, 2026, at home from Melanoma Cancer. She was born Dec. 18, 1947 in Seattle.

Babe grew up boating and Girl Scouting with her family around Puget Sound, BC Canada, learning her work ethics from her parents, a family who cooked, worked and played together always taking pride in a job well done, Babe carried those early lessons throughout her life.

Babe’s first job at 15-years-old at the Medical Lab at Northgate Hospital, many jobs as a bartender including working at Edgewater Inn also working at a cedar mill by Lake Quinault as a ridge saw operator, commercial fishing in Alaska, Treaty fishing for Suquamish Tribe, and Assistant Water Master. Babe loved branding season, helping vaccinate calves and BQ’s with friends and family. Babe was known for her honesty and fierce loyalty, and would always help her friends and family.

Babe leaves behind her husband/partner, Gene Thomas of almost 35 years and was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Al Ploe. Babe is survived by her four siblings, Barbara, Becky, Bryant and Brenda; along with many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and-nephews, in-laws and out-laws as well as an, extended family of all ages, known as Auntie Babe to many. 

Babe’s legacy will continue in all her family and friends who loved her. Come spring Family will spread her ashes and have a Celebration of Life with friends.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bend Cancer Center or Harney County Hospice; both were outstanding in their care of Babe and helping Gene Thomas her primary care giver.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 12, 2027, in Seneca, Ore., at the City Hall, starting around 1 p.m.