Obituary of Elizabeth G. Hayes

Elizabeth G. Hayes, 89 of Burdett, N.Y. passed away on February 28, 2017 with family members by her side. Born in Afton, NY she was the daughter of C. Wayland and Gertrude Ireland Guy. She was predeceased by her husband, Carrroll J.J. Hayes; her son Joseph Patrick; son-in-law Geoffrey Lincoln Donovan; brothers Loren and James Guy; and recently her sister, Nancy Howell. Elizabeth is survived by four children, Susan VanHeusen of Dansville and her children Megan (Brad) Wentworth, Keri (Chad) VanAuken, and Joshua VanHeusen; Mary Hayes of Burdett and her children Benjamin and Gabriel King; John Hayes of Watkins Glen; Martha Donovan and son Geoffrey (Sophi) Donovan; and 14 dearly loved great-grandchildren. Known as Aunt Betsy by her many nieces and nephews, she prided herself in knowing where each of them was and relished details about their lives. Elizabeth was passionate about gardening and the grounds around her home were well loved as were her two rescue kitties. She served her community through active participation in Cooperative Extension, the Burdett Ladies' Wednesday Afternoon Club, Schuyler County Public Health and only recently resigned from the Office For the Aging. Through RSVP, she taught English as a second language and volunteered at local schools helping children learn to read. Elizabeth assisted in the local development of a group for women "Trust in the Lives of Older Women." Like her mother before her, she attended Elmira College and graduated from the Columbia Presbyterian School of Nursing in NYC. Elizabeth was a dedicated RN and worked in various capacities that included charge nurse of the med/surgical floor at Schuyler Hospital, administrator and advocate for patients at a local nursing home, and teacher in the SCT BOCES LPN program. A memorial service celebrating Elizabeth's life will commence at 11:00 am at St. James Episcopal Church in Watkins Glen, N.Y. on Saturday March 11, 2017. Family members invite you to join them at St. James parish hall immediately following the service. Burial will be in Afton, NY at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Watkins Glen Public Library, CareFirst (formerly Hospice of the Southern Tier), or The Humane Society of Schuyler County.