Eunice Cecelia Hayes

The family of Eunice Cecelia Hayes sadly announces the passing of a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and an angel into the loving arms of her Lord and those of the waiting loved ones who passed before her. 

She died April 14, 2016 with family at her bedside at her home as was her wishes, after a short but stoic battle with cancer, never complaining or expressing fear.  She was the third youngest of thirteen children born to parents William and Queenie Rattigan in Sleeman, Ontario on May 23, 1928. 

Because of the large number of siblings she was very family oriented with older siblings helping with the raising and educating of the younger ones. 

It was for that reason Eunice went on to become a teacher.  While rooming with the Hayes family she met her husband, Jack, freshly returning from the war. 

They were married on October 13, 1947.  She left her teaching profession to raise a family of five children to which she devoted wholeheartedly her time and passion.  Due to her husband’s police profession she took her family to wherever his postings were, from Emo, Rainy River, Port Arthur, Terrace Bay, Nakina and lastly Thunder Bay.  Her needs took second place to that of her family.  She had a huge family support group from her siblings, in particular her oldest sister Kay. 

She was a devout Christian with the Catholic Church.  She was a lifetime member of the CWL.  Her faith and devotion saw her through many trials and triumphs.  Her legacy is expressed through her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom all loved her deeply.  She loved what bounties nature provided and loved her walks and earlier in life cross country skiing, reading and music. 

She loved to entertain, hosting family gatherings either in her house or in her backyard.  She loved cooking for her growing family.  She loved to read and would write down on paper any tidbit of information that especially interested her.  In the more recent years she would go to her now ever expanding families’ homes for the many occasions that would never be as special if she were not there. 

Her family appreciated and loved her for her never diminishing devotion and joy each new additional family member brought.  She included as family her next door neighbours Gene and Robbin McGillivray and sons Kyle and Dylan. 

“Nana” was her official title to those that loved her.  She always had a small chalkboard to which she would fill in that particular month’s birthdays, anniversaries or graduations. 

Eunice was predeceased by her husband Jack Hayes, her parents Bill and Queenie Rattigan, brothers Wilfrid Rattigan, William Rattigan, Charles “Bud” Rattigan and Jack Rattigan, sisters Catherine “Kay” Rattigan, Mary O’Callaghan and Gladys Carey. 

She will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her brother Eugene (Lena) Rattigan, sisters Bernice Olinyk and Clare (Dan) Eno, sons Shawn (Anna Marie), Allan (Jean), Ronald (Cindy), and David (Lana), daughter Cathy Hancock, 13 grandchildren: John (Tanya) Hayes, Timothy (Jodi) Hayes, Laurie Anne (Clint) Medwid, Jaime Hayes, Bryan (Rainbow) Hayes, Melissa Hayes, Courtney (Jordan) Libbey, Selena Hayes, Skyla Hayes, Jenna Hayes, Jayde Hancock, Kye Hancock, and Jessica Hayes, 15 great grandchildren with another to be born this summer as well as by numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.  A special thanks goes to Dr. Davis and to the great and compassionate palliative nurses and caregivers Lucja VON, Heather VON, Deborah NP, Natalie VON, Emily VON, Tia VON, Courtney OT, Lynda CCAC and Brian Tech from Shoppers. 

In honour of her wishes her body will be cremated and interred alongside her late husband’s urn under a single tombstone at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. 

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Eunice Hayes will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 when family and friends will gather in Our Lady of Loretto R.C. Church, Current River, for the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Francis Pudicherry and Rev. Terry Sawchuk concelebrating.  A private interment will take place at a later date. 

Arrangements are in care of the Sargent & Son Funeral Directors, 21 N. Court Street.  On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.