Burial Date May 7, 2014
Obituaries » JOAN E. HAYES
HAYES, JOAN ELIZABETH, 74, of Greensboro Bend, passed away April 21 after a brief illness, at her home with her caregivers by her side. Joan was born Oct. 4, 1939, the only child of Lloyd and Catherine Hayes. She grew up in Evanston, Ill., until moving to Stowe in 1966 with her family. After graduating the eighth grade in 1957, her parents decided because of her petite stature that she could attend sheltered workshops in Illinois, riding public transportation independently to and from these activities. In 1978, Joan moved to Town Street Group Home in Montpelier. Joan enjoyed walking into town, riding local transportation, and going out for many shopping excursions. She would go home every weekend and spend time with her family at the family home in Stowe. In 1997, Joan moved from Montpelier, to live with her current caregivers in Greensboro Bend. Joan was a very independent and strong-minded person. She was not afraid to speak her mind, and would often tell you just what she thought. She enjoyed many things in life; Joan enjoyed writing and receiving letters and cards, celebrating holidays and birthdays of friends and family. She loved attending the sewing circle with her friend Dot, and going down to Homer Fitts Co. in Barre to shop and use her charge card. She loved to watch “The Price is Right,” and enjoyed watching her caregivers’ children grow and play, and in earlier years, attending their sporting events. She also enjoyed annual trips to Maine, and loved going to the Tunbridge Fair every fall and the special company of her kitty, Sammy. Joan was predeceased by her parents; her uncle Gayland Hayes; cousin Jane Towslee; and friends Dot and Dave McDonough, with whom she was very close. She leaves behind Shawn and Gloria Mercier and their children; Pam and Greg Allen and their children; Sandy, Douglas, Kevin and Kayla Rivers; Lisa and Chuck Draper and their daughters; friends Dennis Wallace and Sarah Emmons, along with guardian Shannon Swan and previous guardian Kevin O’Riordan; and also her cousin Betty Bowman. Her funeral service will be held at 10am on Wednesday, May 7, in the Bethany Church in Montpelier, followed by interment in the Riverbank Cemetery in Stowe.
