Jeanne Hays, 81

Jeanne E. Hays, 81, former resident of Libby, finished her journey with us on July 12 in Spokane, Wash., after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Jeanne was born Feb. 17, 1933, to John and Julia (Wyburn) Milliron. She attended school at Dartford, and graduated from St. Patrick Grade School and John Rogers High School in Spokane.

Immediately following graduation she attended business school and worked for Nabisco for a short time before marriage on Sept. 6, 1952, to Gayle Hays. They welcomed their first child in March of 1956 while stationed in Tacoma. 

Upon Gayle’s discharge, the family returned to Spokane, where over the next 10 years they welcomed four more children. 

In 1969, the family relocated to Libby, where they ran a local glass shop and then a building supply business. The wonderful friendships Jeanne made while in Libby were held dear to her heart always.

Gayle and Jeanne returned to Spokane in 1990 to be closer to their family. 

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Gayle in February of 2009; her sisters Joan, Judy and Julie; her brother Mike; and her grandson Nathan Hays. 

She is survived by her children Jim (Kim), Cindy, Tim, Denise (Kelly) Kirkpatrick and Wendy (Dick) Thomas; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and her brother Pat Milliron.

Her funeral mass was celebrated by Fr. Tim Hays on July 15 at Assumption Parish in Spokane.