Obituary of Catherine Webster Hayes
Catherine "Mike" Hayes passed away peacefully on August 30th with family nearby. Mike was born on June 19, 1928 and grew up in Portland Oregon. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in Fine Arts.
In 1954 Mike married Frederick W. Hayes, a childhood friend. The two enjoyed 63 years of family life in towns such as Klamath Falls, Eugene, Snoqualmie Falls, WA, Issaquah and Medina. Mike encouraged her kids in all her passions which included skiing, horsemanship, outdoor adventures, building projects and travels. Mike was a wonderful wife to her best-friend Fred, and terrific mother to four children: Fritz, Terry, Julie and Ruth, and super grandma to Emily, Sarah, and Nathan.
Volunteering was a core of her life which she instilled in all her family. From Campfire and Scout Troop leader early on, to Chair of the Board of King County Campfire Council, a Trustee of Gonzaga University, and the Alter Guild of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Mike always found a way to help others. Her passion for history and genealogy led her to join the National Society of Colonial Dames, where she served as a Registrar.
Mike was hands-on building and spending time at the family cabin with Fred on Frost Island in the San Juans. She was an avid gardener and expert flower arranger and judge. She loved creative endeavors as a great chef, oil painter, and seamstress too. Mike was an instigator of family gatherings and could make a wicked batch of hand-cranked strawberry ice cream every 4th of July. Some of her favorite times were to spend quiet moments drawing or oil painting, reading on a sunny morning with coffee in hand, planning the next trip abroad, and cruising anywhere on their sail and power boats with Fred and family.
Mike is preceded in death by her husband Fred and son Fritz. She is survived by daughters Terry, Julie Ernest (Scott), Ruth Hayes-Arista (David), daughter-in-law Maggie Hayes, grand children Emily Hayes (Carl), Sarah Hayes (Greg) and Nathan Hayes (Shelby).
The family would like to thank the community of Horizon House for their support and friendship of Mike and the Assisted Living staff for their deep caring and kindness.
A reception with refreshments and remembrances will follow at 11am at St. Thomas in the Great Hall. Stories and pictures may be sent to Mike's daughter, Ruth, at vinoruth@gmail.com.
