Obituary of Ruth M. Harris Hayes
Ruth M. Harris Hayes
Ruth M. (Harris) Hayes (nee Muir), age 86. Peacefully Thursday, July 21, 2016 at Joliet Area Community Hospice with her family by her side.
Born February 2, 1930 in Joliet, IL, Ruth was one of 10 children born to Robert and Elizabeth (nee Helmers) Muir. A graduate of St. Patrick Grade School, 1944, Providence High School, 1948 and a 45 year member of Cathedral of St. Raymond parish.
In 1969, a tragic auto-pedestrian accident in Beebe, Arkansas took the lives of Ruth's husband, Clem A. Harris, age 41, and their 4-year-old daughter, Annette. In 1971, she married John "Jack" Hayes (2006) (Adeline Brown-deceased, 1969) married 35 years.
Ruth was known and loved for her beautiful handcraft work. For many years she handmade Raggedy Ann dolls, beautiful Christmas decor, hand sewn quilts and knit afghans. Ruth generously donated many Victory Light quilts for Jubilaté Auctions. Less known, but perhaps more significant, in 1989 she and Jack built the 15 foot tall "Victory Light", which for years JCHS/JCA students hailed through the halls, assemblies, and football games, keeping alive the Victory Light tradition!
She leaves to mourn her dearest and most loving friend, Clarabelle Christensen (LaVerne-d). For most of 70 years they played together (dining-out, shopping, crafts and Bingo) and prayed together (7:30 a.m. Mass, same church, same pew).
Ruth is survived by her eight stepchildren, Kathleen of Danbury, CT, Teresa of Lombard, IL, Janet Hayes of Downers Grove, IL, John Patrick Hayes of Downers Grove, IL, Mary (Raymond) Meader of Joliet, IL, Margaret (Irving) Agard of San Francisco, CA, Jacquelyn (T. Kenneth) Vancina of Shorewood, IL and Helen (Craig) Marchbank of New Lenox, IL; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey (Emily) Meader, Jana (Ryan) Kubacki, Jill (Jason) Sunderson, Jenae Meader (fiancé, Alex Cerovac), Matthew (Mary) Agard, Nicholas (Julie) Agard, Karen (Marion) Reid and Kelly Van Dyke (fiancé, Mike Wall); eight great-grandchildren, Caroline, Claire and Ryan Kubacki, Owen, Kate and Charlotte Sunderson, Alicia Agard, and Baby Boy Agard to arrive this December; one brother, George "Bern" (Adeline-d) Muir of Joliet; one sister, Lois (Ronald) Schaller of Plainfield/Port Richey, FL; and many nieces and nephews also survive.
Preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Helen (Cecil) Whalen and Mary Jane Muir; five brothers, Maurice, Kenneth (Starr) Muir, Edward (Rosemary) Muir, Robert (Trudie) Muir and Eugene (Margaret) Muir.
We especially thank God for Clarabelle, Nancy Drauden and Ruth's wonderful Neighbors Jeff and Aileen Hamilton, Tom Janes and the Alvarado Family for all their kindness shown these many years. Also, we thank Fr. Brad Baker, the Cathedral Parish to include the many lovely women with whom Ruth attended Sunday Mass and breakfast.
Funeral Services for Ruth M. Harris Hayes will be held Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 8:45 a.m. from the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet to Cathedral of St. Raymond for 9:30 Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation TODAY Friday, 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home. For more information: (815) 741-5500.
