April 17, 1931 - April 28, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved and cherished mother, Harriet Caroline Hayes.
She lived an extraordinary life. Born a Jewish girl in Hamburg, Germany, her family lost their native home to World War II, but made the very best of life both in India and Canada.
She was raised and educated in Bombay, where her parents flourished in the face of challenge and change. Their leadership in business, community, and the relocation of Jewish refugees from Europe to India and Israel formed the roadmap of how our mother would lead the rest of her life.
In 1947, when she was only 16, Indian Independence forced the family to leave their adopted Indian homeland, and they moved to Duncan, British Columbia. She briefly attended Queen Margaret's School and went on to complete her education at hotel school in Switzerland and finishing school in London, where she was presented to the Queen.
Returning from Europe, she settled in Duncan, married, and had five children. With the resilience learned from her family, she made a fulfilling life in Canada and became a successful pioneering businesswoman in the forest industry, a rarity at the time. She was an active member of the community and was engaged in helping many people and charities both in public and private.
Retiring to Vancouver and Victoria in 1985, she built a happy and well-travelled life with her children and grandchildren. She was engaged and admired for the remainder of her life.
To many, she was an unusually elegant, intelligent, and gracious woman. Always beautifully dressed, coiffed, and made up, her appearance often surprised and defied the fact that she had an extraordinary work ethic and the ability to make deep personal connections with so many people of diverse backgrounds.
She was a wonderful and loving mother who prioritized her children's education and showed us we could be anything we set our sights on. She lived and taught us the importance of the commitment to standards and pride in all aspects of life. She was our strongest supporter and constant cheer leader.
She loved her children, grand-children and great-grandchildren with unwavering affection and loyalty and was deeply loved and cared for by them to her last day.
She is survived by her 5 children, Catherine Guadagnuolo (Mimmo), Donald P. Hayes (Vahid), Janet Hayes, Jeffrey Hayes, Harold Hayes (Denise) and her 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
Predeceased by her parents, Francis and Gerda Klein and her sister, Evelyn and by her former husband, Donald A. Hayes.
Our gratitude and deep affection to Ceri Newman of Duncan, British Columbia for more than 63 years as our mother's best friend.
Sincere thanks to Juliet Godlinski, her caregiver, who's dedication for over 9 years immeasurably improved our mother's life and provided great comfort to all of us.
Our appreciation also to the staff of the Opal Care Facility.
In lieu of flowers, donation to the Cowichan District Hospital Foundation. cdhfoundation.ca
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. If you would like to be notified, please email to hch.celebration@gmail.com