AUGUSTA - Blanche E. Hawes, 71, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2007, at MaineGeneral Rehabilitation and Nursing Care at Gray Birch, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. She was born in Palermo on April 16, 1936, the daughter of Earl and Dorothy (Black) Stevens. She was educated in Palermo schools and had attended several Augusta-area churches. Blanche enjoyed shopping and a very large collection of teddy bears. She is survived by her husband Stanley Hawes Sr., of Augusta; a daughter, Jerry Anne Howard, of Augusta; three sons, William Hawes, Stanley Hawes and Stephen Hawes, all of Augusta; a brother, Everard Stevens, of Chesterville; a sister, Marion Gleason, of Skowhegan; three grandchildren, John Thornton Jr., Jacob Hawes and Grace Hawes; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no visiting hours. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, in Riverside Cemetery, Augusta. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1 Church St., Augusta.