Ruth F. Hayes

Ruth Hayes was a woman with many loves, none greater than her love of family.





In her far too short of a life, Ruth touched so many, but none more deeply than her husband, children and grandchild.





Selfless, is the only way to describe Ruth. She never thought of herself, but always of those around her. Even in the past six years as her health wained, Ruth always protected those closest to her. She preached hope to everyone, not because it made her feel better but because it gave everyone else something to hold on to.





During 31 years of marriage, and 29 years of motherhood, Ruth never did anything without her family. There were trips across country spent with not only her family, but her brother and his family as well. Summer days were spent at amusement parks, and many weekends were spent at her sisters playing cards.





Once the summer months had come and gone, Ruth would spend any free time working on arts and crafts, or baking projects, or on the sidelines of a field. That was, until the holiday season approached, and Ruth became consumed with Christmas, her favorite time of year. But again, it was because of the happiness she knew her family would share during that time.





As the years past, and her family got older, trips to amusement parks continued, but Ruth found a new love; Foxwoods.





Ruth's love of slots was eventually trumped, but only by the one thing she always wanted, a grandchild. Even before Ruth knew she was going to be a "Nana," she made sure to get halloween costumes, outfits and toys for the grandchildren she hoped to have someday.





When she finally got her wish, with the birth of her grandaughter, Jayda, in January of 2005, Ruth was given a reason to keep fighting against her illness. Despite already battling her debilitating disease for four years, Nana, now had found a new reason to live, and someone to give her hope.





After 59 years of doing for everyone else, Ruth finally did something for herself. She decided that her battle had been long and hard enough. Ruth caught her shooting star and made her way to heaven.





Ruth was the beloved wife for 31 years of Daniel F. Hayes. She was the devoted mother of Andrea Hayes and her husband Robert Hill of Bradford, Robyn, Sean and Danielle Hayes, all of Reading. Ruth was the cherished grandmother of Jayda Ruth Osagiede. She was the dear sister of Jean Sabatula and her husband Joseph of Lynn, James MacDonald and his wife Betty Ann of Abington and the late Arlene Abbondanza. Ruth was the sister in law of Frank Abbondanza. She was also survived by 23 loving nieces and nephews, and she was the daughter of the late George MacDonald and Dorothy (Gove) MacDonald.





A Funeral Service celebrating Ruth's life will be held on Friday at 10am in the Chapel of the Joseph Doherty - Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden St. READING. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting Hours Thursday 4-8pm. Parking is available in the municipal parking lot on Linden St.





In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Ruth to Winchester Hospital I.C.U. 41 Highland Ave. Winchester, MA 01890.