JEAN HAYES

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jean Christina Hayes, daughter of the late Norman and Christina Steele. She was born Aug. 11, 1925 in Burriss, Ont.
She married Wesley on Nov. 14, 1945 and together they were looking forward to celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
She leaves to mourn her devoted husband, Wes, son, David (Maxine); daughter, Diane Hatfield (Harley); daughter-in-law, Jane; grandchildren, Warren (Shirley), Darwin (Lisa), Chris, (Bridgit), Candace Prior (Daryl), Kevin (Lynda), Jacki (Rennie), Courtney (Casey), and Rochelle Hatfield; and great-grandchildren, Joleigh, Annalise, Keelan, Brandon, Kadon, and Brooklin.
She also is survived by her sister, Laverne; brother, Bill; sisters-in-law, Ila, Dorothy, Aileen, Gladys, Maxine, Audrey, Luva, Helen, Jean, and Sis; and brothers-in-law, Lorne, Hank, Ken, George, Jim, and Clark.
Jean was predeceased by her son, Dennis; siblings, Don, Gladys, Sonny, Lyla, Peggy, Garry, Bob; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Harman and Mary, Art, Allan, Basil and Ellen, Edwin and Ruth, Gerald, Mervin, and Maurice and Connie.
Jean was an avid historian, spending many hours clipping news articles and organizing her history books. She helped many families trace their ancestors and made her books available to everyone.
She also was active in the Women’s Institute and a Rainycrest volunteer.
She was a friend to everyone, a constant companion to the sick and home bound. She also was a huge promoter of events at the Dance Community Hall.
Her door was never locked “just in case” someone came. If anyone needed sewing, mending, baking, meals cooked, someone to talk to, or a ride, they knew they could count on Jean.
She worked as a waitress, seamstress, and 19 years as matron of the Fort Frances Jail. Family came first.
A memorial service was held Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, Ont., with Fr. Wayne McIntosh officiating.
Interment will take place in Burriss Cemetery in Burriss at a later date.
Honourary pallbearers were Betty Munro, Evelyn Perry, Leona Gosselin, Nita Mills, Carol Best, Emily Lang, Gabriel Kirby, and Jeannette Bragg.
In memoriam donations can be made to the Dance Community Hall, Devlin, Ont., P0W 1C0.