Janet Hunt Dawes

1932 - 2023

Janet Hunt Dawes
May 30, 1932 - June 9, 2023
Lacey, Washington - Janet Hunt Dawes remembers the day the original Narrows Bridge collapsed. Not surprising since she spent her first quarter century in Tacoma. Born May 30, 1932, to Elsie (Peterson) Hunt and Richard C. Hunt; then attended public schools in Tacoma - including Stadium High where students were uniquely required to take a course on the history of the school building.
She later attended the College of Puget Sound, majoring in piano/music. The love of playing and teaching piano stayed with her for the rest of her years.
Janet felt strongly about the Northwest landscape and had a particular love for Puget Sound and the greenness found in the wild places nearby. The admiration for her native Northwest never waned despite some years in Texas (during the Apollo program), and in Calgary, Alberta; where the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rockies played a close second to Puget Sound landmarks. So, back to the U.S. on the bicentennial date - settling since then in four different areas of greater Olympia.
Perhaps the greatest regional impact was sparked by her passion to dedicated and active volunteer service to save what she thought should be valued. That passion started with active involvement in local land-use issues; then a major commitment to saving more of the Nisqually Delta (a HistoryLink.org article addresses this activism). At the time, the Delta was threatened by development of all kinds. She was rewarded with recognition for her many contributions to the Washington State environment.
Janet stopped contributing when her body failed June 9, 2023 at Panorama in Lacey. She is survived by her husband of over 60 years, Warren Dawes; son Eric Dawes (Shelby) and granddaughter Marissa.