Susan Karlene (Williams) Hayes passed peacefully the morning of Dec. 30, 2021 in Cottage Grove, Ore., to join her parents, Harley and Helen Williams, and brother, James Williams, in heaven.
Susan married her high school sweetheart, Leon Hayes, in Cottage Grove May 16, 1957. Together they enjoyed fun adventures and made many good friends as they moved around North Carolina and Washington states before returning to Oregon 11 years ago.
Susan was an exceptionally selfless, loyal, kind and loving wife, mother, gramma, great-gramma and friend. She had a way of making people feel heard, loved and good about themselves.
Her greatest passion was family. From family picnics and gatherings with crazy whipped cream fights and out of control egg tosses to family history. Christmas being her favorite time was made more special when she would play carols and hymns on the piano with her family gathered singing around her. Susan also considered her closest friends family and often enjoyed going “treasure hunting” at flea markets and second-hand stores with them.
Susan is survived by her husband of 62 years, Leon Hayes, four children: Cheryl Lewis (Mose), Nancy Noreau (Pete), Amy Maddess (Doug) and Steve Hayes (Jessi); seven grandchildren: Jody “Noreau” Canto (Nick), Troy Noreau, Alex Noreau, Christopher Lewis, James Lewis, Shane Maddess and Haley Maddess; and one great-granddaughter Izzy Canto.
Susan will always be held with loving memory in the hearts of every life she touched.
Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium in Cottage Grove.
