Maureen Hayes

STERLING- Maureen M. Hayes, 86, passed away on October 30, 2022, at Sterling Village Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center after a short illness.

She was born in Worcester on August 13, 1936, a daughter of the late John (died in 1974) and Margaret (Danckert) Hayes (died in 2001). She also was pre-deceased by a brother John Hayes who lived only 3 days, passing in 1940.

Following her graduation from Classical High School she attended Worcester State College where she earned her Bachelors in Education in 1958. Maureen was employed as an educator in the City of Worcester for 37 years before she retired in 1995. She taught kindergarten at Nelson Place, Midland Street and Burncoat Elementary. Many of her students remember her fondly for all her decorations, field trips, and life lessons from a youthful age.

Maureen’s hobbies were extensive. She loved the home she bought on Arubutus Road in Worcester where she lived for over 50 years. A talented painter, everything she painted had a ladybug, clover, had lots of yellows, purples and drawings and paintings of her dogs. Maureen had 8 mini-schnauzers over the years, most recently Rosie whom she loved dearly. Many neighbors would hear her call for Rosie through the door and around the neighborhood when she was out for walks.

Maureen was also an avid reader, with hundreds of mysteries, biographies, (all things Kennedy family related) and historical over the years. She loved New England sports, had a genuine Red Sox shirt for our beloved “Big Papi” which made her smile with strangers as they complemented her when wearing it.

Maureen loved to travel and there were many paintings throughout her home of Boston landscapes. She enjoyed “Make Way for Ducklings” in Boston Public Garden. She was always impeccably dressed, whether headed to a show in Boston or New York, going to pay bills in downtown Worcester, or walking one of her dogs. She often went to lunches with friends, shopping at Filenes, Jordan Marsh, and other shopping adventures.

She leaves behind her loving godchild and caregiver, Annie Mussoni Morrison formerly of Worcester, presently from Hampstead, MD. She kept in very close touch with Joyce (Jones) Littell, a classmate since they were 5 throughout catechism and later at Worcester State College, and all these years later the spoke frequently. Additionally, she loved her dogwalker Erica (May) Curci, her friend Lisa Waskevitch, and many neighbors in the community. She was involved at Our Lady of the Rosary teaching religious education for years.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, November 25th at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 23 Fales St., Worcester. Maureen was impressed with the care she received at UMASS Memorial Hospital and, at passing, donated her body to the University of Massachusetts Medical School Anatomical Gift Program. A consummate teacher to the end.

The Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester is assisting with arrangements.