L. Virginia Day Hayes Obituary (1926

Our dearly beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, Lora Virginia Day Hayes, 89, of Provo, Utah passed away November 23, 2015 at home from causes incident to age, surrounded by her family. Virginia was born in Aurora, Utah, on February 6, 1926 to Jesse E. and Lora Sorensen Day. Raised in Aurora as one of ten siblings, she enjoyed a lifetime of happiness surrounded by her large and caring family who provided a source of much love, strength and support through the years. As a child, Virginia began her retail career at her father’s county store, Day’s, located on Main Street in Aurora. In the spring of 1943 the world was at war. At the age of 17, Virginia and her best friend, Norma, boarded a bus headed for Long Beach, California, in search of work for the United States Department of Navy. When they arrived at Terminal Island, they were hired on the spot as clerk/typists in the steno pool. She worked all summer, and then returned home to finish her senior year of high school, graduating as class valedictorian of North Sevier High School in May 1944. Days after graduation, Virginia and Norma were back on the bus headed for Terminal Island. Virginia reminisced that upon arrival, “We got our exact same jobs back!” and also recalled seeing the battleships & troop transports heading out to sea with rows of sailors in dress whites standing at attention as the stars and stripes waved in the breeze. A loyal patriot from that point forward, she always loved to see the American flag. At war’s end, she returned to Utah and studied at the University of Utah. Virginia landed a job at United States Steel-Geneva Works as the front desk receptionist. While there she met newly hired chemical engineer, Robert Hayes. They began dating and were married October 20, 1950. She worked until the birth of their son and then spent the next 25 years as a stay-home mom. She was an excellent wife and mother, well-skilled in homemaking duties learned in her youth: a fine cook, master gardener, and an expert quilter and seamstress. Born with a keen sense of style and fashion, she made avant-garde clothing and prom dresses for her daughters. Once her children graduated from high school, Virginia returned to the workforce, landing a job as manager/buyer at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Gift Shop where she worked for 32 years before retiring at the age of 80. She had the energy of 10 people and could run circles around any 40-year-old. She absolutely loved the pink ladies who volunteered at the Gift Shop. One of her greatest joys was personally hosting in her home annual summer parties and Christmas parties for her pink ladies. It was Virginia’s way of saying “thank-you” for the volunteer hours they worked at the Gift Shop. Virginia and Robert enjoyed a wonderful life together. They engaged in many civic and community activities. They were founding members of Provo’s Riverside Country Club where Virginia served as President Elect and President of Riverside County Club’s Ladies Golf Association. She also served as President of Edgemont Ladies Lions Club and as President of her long-time social club Dekatos. She also enjoyed her book club Altrus. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithfully served in many ward positions through the years. Virginia is survived by her three children, Paul (Helen) Hayes, Kathryn (Martin) Johnson, and Susan Hayes (Neil Baxter); her four grandchildren Jesse O. Nelson, Holly N. (Brandon) Christiansen, Robert W. Hayes, Patrick J. (Anna) Hayes; her one great-grandchild Oliver Christiansen; and her brothers Fred Richard (Joyce) Day and J. Rodney (Pam) Day. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Dorothy MacNiven, Venita Drew, Kathleen Bartholomew, Joan Stewart, and brothers Jesse, David and James Day. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 28, 2015 at the Edgemont 7th Ward Chapel, 555 East 3230 North, Provo, Utah. Friends may visit with the family at the Berg Mortuary of Provo, 185 East Center Street, Friday, November 27, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and at the church Saturday, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment is at Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.bergmortuary.com. We express sincere appreciation for the loving service of Aspen Senior Care and for the exceptional care grandson Jesse O. Nelson gave to his grandmother.