Evelyn Ann Cables, a former secretary, substitute teacher and volunteer who lived in Smithsburg, died of cancer Oct. 5 at her home. She was 78.

Born Evelyn Ann Walling, in Paterson, N.J., she graduated from Belleville (N.J.) High School in 1946. After graduation, she worked part time as a secretary at Prudential Insurance Co. in Newark while studying at what was then Seton Hall College in South Orange, N.J. She completed two years before dropping out for financial reasons.

In 1953, she married Donald Walter Cables, a machinist she met after dating his best friend, according to her daughter, Karen Lynn Alban of Westminster. Mrs. Cables continued to work at Prudential until her daughter was born in 1958.

After her husband finished his engineering degree, he went to work for Mack Trucks Inc. and moved the family to Hagerstown. Mrs. Cables became a substitute teacher in the Washington County schools and was active in many community organizations.

She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown; Friendship Quilters in Smithsburg; and the Order of the Eastern Star and the Women's Club, both in Hagerstown.

She enjoyed knitting and bridge and was an active walker. In her late 60s, she traveled to the Canadian Rockies with two friends for whitewater rafting, her daughter recalled. "She had more energy than anyone I've ever met."

Two memorial services are planned, the first at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect St. in Hagerstown. The second will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at St. Thomas' Church, 232 St. Thomas Lane in Owings Mills.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Mrs. Cables is survived by a brother, Everett Roland Walling of Kunkletown, Pa.; and two grandchildren.