Helen Hayes Dies At 81

Helen V. Hayes

Helen Virginia Hayes of East Hampton died at her home on Saturday, November 26. She was 81.

Born February 22, 1930, to Robert and Lottie Hartwell, the eighth of 10 children, she was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton at age 16 and was a charter member of Calvary Baptist Church in East Hampton when it was established in 1954. She remained an active member and sang in the choir from its founding. With a love for singing, she faithfully traveled with the pastor and choir to sing and enjoy fellowship with other churches.

An East Hampton High School graduate, she was active in the community and a hard worker her entire life. She was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader and loved to participate in activities involving East Hampton’s children. She did housekeeping for a number of years but was best known for working at East Hampton High School for 13 years before accepting a position at the elementary school. It was this position from which she retired in December 2000.

Nothing was more important than family to Ms. Hayes. She loved her nieces and nephews like her own, as well as the children of her friends. She supported her extended family in everything they did—speaking engagements, concerts, and plays in New York City. She loved taking trips with her sisters, never missed a wedding, and visited relatives wherever they were located, survivors said.

She will be remembered for hosting an annual beach party for family and friends at Maidstone Beach each July for the last 25 years. It was her way of making sure the family had the opportunity to see one another and remember those who had passed away, family said. It was also an opportunity to feed people—another thing Ms. Hayes loved to do.

She was curious to see all the wonderful places she had heard about, so traveling was something she did as often as could be arranged. She traveled from coast to coast in the U.S., took a trip to Ghana and Senegal, Africa, in 1995, a cruise to Alaska, and several cruises to the Bahamas.

According to her family, Ms. Hayes lived her life to the fullest while eagerly extending a helping hand to those in need. She loved God and expressed His love in her singing and through the kindness and generosity she showered upon others.

A devoted wife for 33 years to James Hayes, who predeceased her, she is survived by four children, Lorraine Smalls of Georgia, Dudley Hayes and his wife Gail of East Hampton, Bonnie Williams and her husband Arthur of East Hampton, Denise Parker and her husband Robert of New Jersey; grandchildren, Nancy Stewart Sosa and her husband Robert, Jamalia and his wife Christina, JeRae and JeRen Hayes, and Elliot Williams; four great-grandchildren, Jordan Hayes, Robert “Xander” Sosa Jr., Aniyah Williams and Kaia Williams-Wetzel; three sisters, Lucy West, Bertha Hopson and her husband William, and Marie Gaines and her husband David; and a host of in-laws, nieces and nephews, dear friends, and beloved church family.

Visitation took place on Friday, December 2, at the Calvary Baptist Church and a memorial service was held on Saturday, December 3; the Reverend Charles E. Hopson officiated. Interment followed at Cedar Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978, The Lustgarten Foundation, 111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714, or to a charity of one’s choice, would be appreciated by the family.