Mary Hays

Mary Hays (82) of Maple Park (formerly of Batavia and Villa Grove) died Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Michealson Healthcare Center in Batavia after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born Mary Joane Nelson to Alonzo and Ethel Nelson on August 15, 1942, at Geneva Community Hospital. Welcoming her and twin sister Martha to their Batavia home were older siblings Donna and Bob. Mary grew up attending Batavia public schools, graduating in 1960 from BHS.

She married Ed Hays February 2, 1962, celebrating 57 years together before Ed's passing in 2019. Mary and Ed had two children, Amber Hays of Hinckley, lL and Paul Hays (Denise) of Geneva, lL. Mary was the beloved grandmother to Corey Simmons of Bloomingdale, Brianne Dickerson (Michael) of South Elgin, Joshua Hays (Reiney) of St Charles, and Jonah Hays of Plano, TX. On October 12th, Brianne and Michael welcomed Beckett Hays Dickerson, Mary's first great-grandson. Holding Beck fulfilled one of Mary's final wishes.

Ed and Mary spent the first 23 years of their marriage in Villa Grove where Mary was first a homemaker and later would be partner in a sewing/craft business before working at the Villa Grove State Bank as a teller. In 1987, Ed and Mary moved back to Kane County where Mary would work at the State Bank of Geneva in many roles including the bank's "Good Timers" coordinator which allowed her to travel all around the United States and Europe while organizing tours for customers.

After retirement, Mary and Ed would travel the Midwest attending countless band concerts, softball, soccer, and baseball games their grandkids were participating in. They also were blessed to have many lifelong friends with whom they would spend many years traveling to Siesta Key, enjoying Friday night dinners at Harner's, and playing dominoes.

Besides her late husband Ed, Mary was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Donna Almerico and Martha Nelson, brothers-n-law Jay Almerico and Al Nelson, and sister-in-law Rhonda Nelson.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, great-grandson, and her brother Bob along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also grieving are Mary's dearest friends, Nancy Gill and Linda Maves. They met in 1949 when the girls were in 2nd grade and have remained best friends to this day.

The family will host a celebration of life in December. Details will be posted on Facebook.