Obituary of Elizabeth Hayes

Elizabeth S. Hayes of Clinton died Thursday, November 5, 2015 at the age of 91. Elizabeth was born January 13, 1924 in Utica, N.Y., the daughter of Edward Smith and Mae M. Connor. She graduated from Utica Country Day School in 1941. She attended National Park Junior College, Forest Glen, Md., until it was taken over by the government as part of the war effort. She then completed a Fine Arts Associate's Degree at Mt. Ida Junior College, Newton, Mass., and studied piano at Boston University College of Music. She graduated from Boston School of Occupational Therapy in 1946 and then worked at a state hospital. Elizabeth married Gordon M. Hayes of Clinton in 1948, and together they raised six children. She was a member of Junior League, St. Elizabeth's Hospital Guild, the Red Cross and Monday Book Club. She returned to work for a short time in the 1970s when her children were older. Elizabeth led an active social life with many close friends. She enjoyed tennis, cross country skiing, hiking, canoeing, and knitting. She had a lifelong love of music, traveled widely, and especially enjoyed her summer home on Lake Champlain. Predeceased by her husband Gordon in 2012, Elizabeth resided in Amherst, NY for the last three years. She is survived by her six children and their spouses: Gordon M. Hayes Jr. of New Hartford, N.Y., Cynthia L. Hayes and James G. Staas of Amherst, N.Y., Christine "Tina" H. and Langhorne Withers of Springfield, Va., Sarah H. and Carl Schindler of Rochester, N.Y., Nathan M. Hayes of Olympia, Wash., and Martha H. and Michael Smiles of South Burlington, Vt.; thirteen grandchildren, Claire and Cory Hayes, Peter (Adrienne), Gregory (Jonna) and David Staas, Carolyn (John Paul) Cokes, Rebecca (Steven) Myles, Hannah Withers, Katherine (Lucas) Jordan, Elizabeth and Rosemary Schindler, Daniel Hayes and Gretchen (Mark) LaSalle; and three great-grandchildren, Helen, Lilian and Ida Staas. Funeral services will be private. Burial will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the charity of your choice in her memory.