Obituary of Mary Frances Hays

Mary Frances Hays died in her sleep at Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Nursing home in Aurora, Colorado on January 6th 2022 at the age of 83. She was born September 28th, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio to Mary Louise and Calvin Francis Hays, who both preceded her in death. Margaret (Marge) Anne Hays, age74, is her surviving sister. There were no other surviving siblings, or children, but several cousins, Pat Colvin, Ernest Hays and David Hays along with their children and grandchildren.

She grew up in Lakewood, Ohio and graduated from Lakewood High School. She started figure skating when she was about 5 years old and became a competitive figure skater, and coach. Skating and coaching in both Canada and in the USA.

When she graduated high school, she took college biology courses and participated in some of the initial liver and kidney transplant experiments on rats at Case Western Reserve. She then became an equine veterinarian assistant in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. This also started her love of Shetland Sheepdogs that continued for the rest of her life.

She transferred to Aurora, Colorado in 1963 as a United Air Line reservationist. She loved working for them and it allowed her to travel to her favorite place with our mother, Hawaii!! After our mother passed away she moved to Spanaway, Washington where she continued her work with United, and raised and showed some gorgeous Shetland Sheepdogs. Her kennel name was Marfray Shelties. Unfortunately, soon after her move she was almost killed in a car accident. Multiple breaks of all 4 limbs, coma for 10 days, in the hospital for 6 months.

After healing up she moved back to her beloved Colorado and joined the Colorado Shetland Sheepdog Club and continued showing and breeding her dogs. She was able to experience piloting an America's Cup sailboat in Hilton Head and fly a glider down in Penrose. She loved to listen to Blake Shelton and Yanni. She moved to Kentucky Circle Village. Mary was very happy living there and made so many wonderful friends.

She was much loved and will be missed by so many people, family, friends, and caretakers from 83 years' worth of lifeA Celebration of Life will occur sometime this Spring when we can have it outdoors. Please send any donations in her memory to the Colorado Shetland Sheepdog Club…the Spina Bifida Association of Colorado…or charity of your choosing.

Spina Bifida Association of Colorado

 P.O. Box 22994

Denver, CO 80222

 

Colorado Shetland Sheepdog Club

c/o Steve Leonard

1749 South Dallas

Denver, CO 80247

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