Barbara Lee Riker Hayes, 94, passed away Monday, August 13, 2018. She was born in Bridgeport, CT, and was the daughter of the late Ralph Riker and Ethel Webb Riker, and the wife of the late Olin W. Hayes. Barbara was a long time resident of Natick. She graduated from Natick High School in 1942, married Olin Hayes, her high school sweetheart, during World War II at the age 19, and returned to Natick after the war to raise her family. She and Olin were active members of the Natick Community, involved in many activities over the years, but most especially the First Congregational Church of Natick. Barbara was the longest active member of the Church (77 years) and won much acclaim as the alto soloist in the church choir. She was very involved in the Church’s Women’s Club, serving as President for several terms. In recent years, Barbara continued to participate in monthly Bible Studies and Church lunches, which she enjoyed very much. As a professional singer, Barbara sang with the Boston Opera and the Ralph Farris Chorale. For many years she was a member of the Clef Club of Framingham. She was also an avid reader, a talented bridge player, and loved spending time with her many lifelong friends. Barbara was especially devoted to her family, loved to cook and celebrate special occasions, and took pride in the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.
Barbara is survived by her daughters, Laura Hayes Gobron and her husband Charles of Natick; Janet Lindsay Hayes Simon and her husband David of Arizona; her son, William “Bill” Hayes and his wife Jackie Sanders of NY; her grandchildren Christopher Gobron of Millbury, Deborah Gobron Collins of Tyngsborough, Zachary Simon of CA, Elliot Simon of Boston, Abigail Simon of AZ and Olin C. Hayes of N. Y.; her great-grandchildren Riley, Meredith and Berkeley Gobron, Addison and Benjamin Collins and Henry Simon; her sister Jean M. Mahard and her husband Walter of CT, and her nephews Andy Mahard of PA, Douglas Mahard and Christopher Mahard both of CT.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service on Saturday August 25, at 10:00 A.M. at the First Congregational Church of Natick, 2 East Central Street, Natick, MA. Interment at Dell Park Cemetery, Natick, will be private.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the First Congregational Church of Natick.