Carol Ann Hayes

Carol Ann Hayes, age 82, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Carol was born on February 18, 1944, to Lucille (McConnell) Brown and Richard Brown. She grew up in Waterloo, Iowa, and graduated from Columbus High School, Class of 1962. She went on to earn her nursing degree from Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa, graduating in 1965.

Carol devoted her career to caring for others as a Registered Nurse and Operating Room Manager at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where she worked for 30 years. She was also an active member of the Fox Valley chapter of the Association of Operating Room Nurses.

On October 9, 1965, Carol married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Hayes, and together they shared 60 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and lifelong memories.

Carol was an active member of her community and faith, participating in Holy Cross, St. Jude, and Queen of the Apostles Catholic Churches over the years. She enjoyed spending time with friends as President of the Lady Elks Golf League and as a member of several local bridge clubs.

She was a devoted Chicago sports fan, cheering on the Bears, Blackhawks, and Cubs through every season. Carol found her greatest joy in time spent with her family, especially summers by the pool, annual winter beach trips with Tom and friends, and casino outings with her daughter and sister. She cherished teaching her granddaughters the art of playing cards, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Carol is survived by her beloved husband, Thomas Hayes; her children, Scott (Leesa) Hayes of Aurora, Illinois, Mark (Teresa) Hayes of Montgomery, Illinois, and Jennifer Hayes of Shorewood, Illinois; and her cherished granddaughters, LeeAnn Hayes of Naperville, Illinois, Alexandra Hayes of Chicago, Illinois, Alyssa Hayes (Max Sampson) of Chicago, Illinois, and Samantha Hayes of Montgomery, Illinois. She is also survived by her sisters, Julie Greenwood of Waterloo, Iowa, and Kathy Guthart of Weldon Springs, Missouri, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her grand-cats, Boo, Scout, and Punky.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and Richard Brown; her mother-in-law, Helen (Peterson) Hayes; and her father-in-law, Richard Hayes.

Carol will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she created.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carol’s name may be made to Lightways Hospice.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at Queen of Apostles Church, Main Campus 18 Woodlawn Ave Joliet, IL. Friends and family will gather in the entrance to the church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m