Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Marie Hays

Marie Hays died December 23, 2016, at 82. She will be missed by many. Marie was born Sally Marie Beights in 1934 in Hermleigh, Texas, to H.W. and Berta Beights. She was the apple of her father's eye, though he died too young, and a friend as much as a daughter to her beloved mother.

Marie traveled far from the humble roots of her hometown, Loraine, Texas. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Library Science from McMurry University, she married Hubert Halton Hays Jr., a petroleum engineer, in 1954 and embarked on a life in which she would make homes in Texas, California, Alaska, Scotland, Montana, Washington and, finally, Oregon. Along the way, son Paul Halton was born in 1961 and son Clark Daniel was born in 1966. The family was blessed with many good years of health and mostly happiness.

Marie had especially fond memories of Scotland, where the family lived for many years. For the rest of her life, the walls of her home were adorned with paintings, photographs and memorabilia that reminded her of those happy times, the lovely countryside and the kind people.

The Montana years also formed some of Marie's happiest memories, the charms and challenges of living in a small town, Whitehall, and the peaceful solitude of ranch life along with Sam, her cherished dog and constant companion.

After parting ways with her husband, the next chapter of her life was focused on fierce self-sufficiency - settling in Vancouver, Washington, making many close friends and embarking on a long, satisfying career as an information specialist for the Vancouver chamber of commerce. After that, she worked in a bookstore and kept her family well-supplied with reading materials.

Here are some of the things Marie loved the most: butterflies, music (she played the piano, and well, for 70 years), her church (First United Methodist in Vancouver), libraries (she volunteered at several), playing dominoes (Texas 42) with her family and watching football with her cat Sweetie.

She is survived by son Paul and his wife Karen Hays, of Elk Mountain, Wyoming, and son Clark and his wife, Kathleen McFall, of Portland, Oregon. She is also survived by, and greatly loved, her grandchildren: Kimberly, Stephanie, Jake Tucker and Holli Jo.

The last years of Marie's life were, at times, challenging due to health issues but neither her faith nor her good cheer ever dimmed.

Marie will be buried next to her parents in a private ceremony in Loraine, Texas. If you are moved to honor Marie's memory, the family asks you to consider donating to one of these organizations in her name:

Oregon Humane Society (oregonhumane.org)

North American Butterfly Association (NABA.org)

 

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