Catherine Ann Hays
February 8, 1930 – August 3, 2020
Catherine Ann (Appel) Hays was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on February 8, 1930. She passed away peacefully on August 3, 2020.
Cathy was so full of love and an obedient servant of the Lord. She was an extraordinarily special woman in the ways she shared her love not just with family but everyone she met. She was a courageous, delightful and truth telling soul. Her words of encouragement rang of positivity and light. Her charitable actions were of God’s love. Cathy lived a life of devout faith and benevolence. She was a dedicated mother and defined love and commitment as a wife and friend…a true and resolute human being.
Cathy was preceded in death by sons, David and Michael. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Richard; children: Timothy Hays, Mary Kay Swale (Steve), Anne Ferron (Jeff) and Mary Beth Hays; daughter-in-law, Mary Sue Hays; grandchildren: Jessica Talmon, Theresa Hays, Jordan Hammond, Emma Ferron, Justin Swale, Christian Ferron, Xavier Artis, Jayden Swale, Logan Ferron, and Maya Artis; great-grandchildren: Ethan Hays, Trenson Hammond, Anela Hammond, and Lila Talmon.
VISITATION following CDC guidelines: Thursday, August 6th from 6:15pm to 7:30pm, at Holy Cross Catholic Church (4810 Woolworth Ave.) followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7:30pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Friday, August 7th, 11am, Holy Cross Catholic Church. INTERMENT: St. Joseph Cemetery in Council Bluffs. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.
To view a live broadcast of the Vigil, Mass and Graveside Service, go to our website and click the View Live Cast button on our homepage.
9 Comments
I have little doubt that my dear & special friend of 72 years is now at peace with the Lord. May you too be at peace, Dick. In love and concern, Lee.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have known Mrs. Catherine. My condolences to Mary Beth and the Hays family. She has always been an Angel….now she has her wings.
When Mummsy sat me down for a “chat” I knew it was going to be real. She’d steal me away from the gathering, find a nice corner, pick up my hand and share that guidance and advice she knew I needed to hear at that very moment. Those moments have followed me throughout my life as I would remember her advice in different situations and just chuckle at how right on she had been. I feel so blessed to have been graced by her wisdom.
Beth, Mr Hays, Anne, Mary Sue, Mary Kay, Tim; My heart goes out to each and every one of you and your families. I’m imagining that those pearly gates got a good polish in preparation for her arrival.❤️
Mary Beth and the Hays Family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your Mom. We will continue to pray for you and your family.
Blessings to Mr.Hays, Beth, Anne & the rest of the family. Unfortunately I had not seen Mrs. Hays for many years but she was one that I always thought I would get to see again., on this side. She was truly special. Just last week I was thinking about how she & Mr. Hays travelled to Topeka for my wedding, which I never expected, and I saw them while walking down the aisle. I was so surprised! Oh, and the yearly birthday & Christmas cards with letters filled w/updates on how each family member was doing. I just appreciate how she always made you feel special, not forgotten & loved. All along SHE was all of these things. Looking forward to seeing her again , on the other side. God Bless & sending Love.
I will always remember Cathy’s fun and loving personality. So full of Love for the lord and everyone else, her colorful socks which she shared with me at prayer group made me dance with joy !!! She had my son Joseph over when he was a child to play with the grandkids, little did she know he would become a priest. Always sending little thoughtful pick me up words of encouragement, and prayers to those who needed them, me included. A very kind soul, I will never forget. Cathy can intercede for us now being with our Heavenly Father in Heaven. Love you Cathy. Dick, my Love and prayers are with you and all of your family.
Dick,
My condolences and much love to you. I will surely miss Cathy’s beautiful smile. She was the bright spot of any day at Elmwood Tower that I ran into her — in the Cafe, the Lounge, patio, etc. May God shower you with blessings for all the loving care you gave her. Peace.
To: Mary Beth and the Hays Family
Where God in His infinite wisdom and power has called from our mist your loving mother, Mrs. Catherine A.
Hays
Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay…
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey’s quicker,
For come the journey’s slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We’ll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
together with the Lord
Beth, we pray God gently embraces and continues to comfort and strengthen you and your family.
With heartfelt condolences,
Jonetta Gibbs
Mr. and Mrs. Johnny and Ann Gibbs
Dick and Kids, You are in our thoughts and prayers, as you move through this time of mourning and celebrating the wonderful presence of Cathy in your lives. She and Dick have always been remembered as revered “extended members” of our Holy Family community – Still have some great pictures and many beautiful memories of time spent together! God bless, as you continue to experience her presence in your hearts.
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