Barbara Elaine Hay, 82, passed away at Diversicare Nursing Home in Council Grove, Kansas April 13th, 2020. Barbara was born June 2, 1937.
“Barb” as she was affectionately known to her family and many friends, grew up in Maine, graduating from Samuel D. Hanson High School with high honors. In the summers, she worked at one of the old resorts, Cape Rozier. Barb loved to remember those years.
She attended Ottawa University where she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Hay. They married on May 27, 1956 at the Methodist Church in Ottawa, Kansas.
Bob and Barb have four children. Their first, Janet Lynn, was premature and died five days later. Barb is survived by her 3 remaining children, Kimberly Sue Hay, 61, of Snowmass Village, Colorado, Christopher Scott, 58, and his wife, Michelle, Lincoln, Nebraska, Douglas Robert, 54, and his wife, Michele of Shawnee, Kansas. Barb is also survived by her husband, Bob, and his sister, Joan Stone-Stewart, of Waverly, Kansas and Bob’s brother, Vernon Hay who married Barb’s sister, Polly. Vern and Polly also live in Council Grove, Kansas and have 2 sons, Mitch, in New Hampshire and Jeff in California. Barb has five wonderful grandkids, Erin & Kylie (Doug, Madison and Katie (Chris, two great grandchildren, Peyton, 4, and Elias, 14 months, both are children of her oldest grandson, Jason “Jay”, who proceeded her in death February 24, 2020.
Over the years, Bob and Barb made many moves related to promotions and job changes. Barb continued to pursue her education earning college hours where ever they were, ultimately graduating Suma Cum Laude in 1971 from Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina Kansas. She retired 25 years later in 1996 and was inducted into the Who’s Who in American Education by her former first grade students.
To know Barb was to love her; a quiet, gentle, funny, infinitely considerate and kind person who was a talented hobbyist in the old art of rug hooking. Barb created many beautiful pieces over the years and started two “hooking clubs” after her retirement. She made and nourished many friendships everywhere she and Bob lived and had a profound and lasting impact on her many, many students, some who were children and even a few grandchildren of her former students.
Barb and Bob would tell you, they have enjoyed a true story book love for each other for 65 years; a wonderful, full life together. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Barb will be cremated per her wishes. A memorial service honoring and celebrating her life will be planned at a future date.