"I met Mary at a Giekau Family History Fair about 5 years ago. She helped me identify my great grandfather's sister from the Mineola area. That had been one of my brick walls for years. She not only helped me that day, but kept in touch through email and "snail mail". Once you met her, she was a friend. Her dedication to genealogy and family over all these years was so special. She will be missed."
In loving memory of
Mary L. Hayward
January 19, 2012
Mary Lauralee Hayward, one of three children of Elda Marie (Kahl) and Walter Hayward, was born on June 9, 1949 in Glenwood, Iowa. At the age of eighteen months, Mary fell ill to the disease of poliomyelitis and then at age five, fell off a table, splitting her left knee open, damaging nerves which required surgery a number of years later.
Mary grew up in the Glenwood and Mineola, Iowa areas. She attended Vogler School in Mineola and graduating from Glenwood High School in 1968. Following school, Mary worked as a CNA in nursing homes in the area. She also worked as a restaurant waitress and motel housekeeping. Mary lived in the Glenwood and Council Bluffs, Iowa areas and in Conway, Arkansas. In November 2002, due to declining heath, Mary moved from Arkansas to Omaha, Nebraska. She then moved to Council Bluffs in May 2003.
Mary was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola, Iowa, where she had been baptized, attended Sunday school and confirmed. She was also a member of the Pottawattamie County Genealogical Society in Council Bluffs. Mary enjoyed many handcrafts; needlepoint and crocheting. She loved reading and working on genealogy.
Mary passed away on January 19, 2012 at the Hospice with Heart in Glenwood, at the age of 62 years, 4 months, and 10 days. She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and older infant brother, James Richard Hayward.
Mary is survived by her brother Robert Hayward and wife Nona of Leesburg, VA; nephews, Rob Hayward of Leesburg, and Todd Hayward and wife Priscilla, and their daughters, Avery and Audrey, of Broadlands, VA; niece Jill Arnestad and husband Josh and their sons, Chase, Cooper, and Flynn, of Lansdowne, VA; first cousin Cindy McCollester and husband Jim of Silver City, IA; other relatives and friends; and especially her good friend Brenda Lewis of Council Bluffs.
A memorial fund has been established.
Tributes
"im so sorry for your loss, i worked with Mary many years ago and remember her as very kind and caring...thoughts and prayers to you"
"Bob, I was so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was so dedicated to your mother for so many years, and I had lost contact with her. I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Bob and your family. God Bless. "
"Mary and I hae been friends for 53 years and I will miss her greatly. Mary was a very caring person and a TRUE FRIEND. Her passing will leave a hugh hollow spot in my heart!"
"Mary we will miss you so very much. The phone calls and the family history talks, your searching for obits for a family member who had passed away years ago. Family meant so very much to you and I know we will all miss you. Gary Schoening Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada"
"Mary was like a sister to me rather than first cousins. We became closer after her diagnosis and I tried to be supportive during her treatments. Now she can rest in peace without pain and suffering. Cindy McCollester"
"I only knew Mary for a short time but in that time I came to know a wonderful lady who was not only very, very humourous but also very caring about others and she was a smart cookie, too! She inspired me. My only regret is that I did not meet her many years ago. She will be in my heart forever. June Schoening, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada"
"My thoughts go out to you Bob and rest of family. She was a dear friend, helped me when my mother passed away. We went to confirmation together and reconnected at the time of my mom's passing. I will miss her but know she is now resting peacefully"
"God rest her soul. Her fight was valiant and her humor never failed her. "