Barbara Hayden

1924 - 2022

Barbara Hayden
September 23, 1924 - May 8, 2022
Fresno, California - Dr. Barbara Helen Makaroff Hayden
Barbara was born to Peter and Helen Makaroff on September 23, 1924 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. She passed away on Mother's Day, May 8th at age 97 in Fresno, California in her home surrounded by family.
Barb's adventurous spirit was influenced by three-year older brother Rob through their many outdoor pursuits. She often tagged along with him and his friends engaging in ice skating, hockey, sailing, tennis, and horseback riding; with swimming and basketball her favorites. This instilled in her a lifelong love of sports.
Barb graduated in 1944 with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and she continued two years of pre-med study at the same institution. Even though she was a medical major she was selected as the campus "Sweetheart" by the Engineering Department. In recognition of her athletic achievements she was awarded Women Athlete of the Year in 1946. Barb completed her medical degree in anesthesiology in 1948 from the University of Toronto.
From 1948-1950 Barb accepted a residency at Vancouver General Hospital in British Columbia, where she met an American fellow medical resident, William "Bill" Hayden. Engaged to marry, she relocated to Denver, Colorado to continue her medical internship, and married Bill in his hometown of Sterling, Colorado on February 24, 1951. They were married for sixty-three years until his passing in 2015.
A move to California for Bill to militarily serve again during the Korean War found the family living in the greater Southern California area during the 1950's. In spring 1961 they moved from Venice, Ca. to Big Creek, Ca. where Barb was a valuable asset to Bill's private and Southern California Edison medical practice. Doctors Bill and Barb lived and practiced medicine in Big Creek for twenty-five years until retirement in 1985 to Fresno.
Barb was a critical observer of current events, and her typical morning routine was a cup of coffee, newspaper and crossword puzzle before starting the day. Foremost she advocated the non-violent peace tradition and philosophy of her Doukhobor father who was born in Russia and immigrated to Canada in 1899 at the age of 5 years.
Barb was a great cook and her authentic Russian borscht, pies and persimmon pudding with lemon sauce were legendary. An accomplished watercolor artist, she won awards at the Fresno Fair. Barb also had a masterful talent for sewing anything, including fashioning wedding dresses for generations of family.
Watching golf on television, and playing herself well into her 90's, was another of her passions. A broken upper right arm, sustained while playing in 2017, did not stop her return to the links; and it wasn't until the pandemic that her weekly golf outing with friends ended at the age of 95.
A big Fresno State men's and women's basketball fan for over thirty years, she regularly attended games, including the men's past championship season. At age 97, she was likely the most "senior" Bulldog supporter in the Save Mart Center these past seasons.
Barb's children and grandchildren looked up to her as a beautiful, smart, strong and independent example of what a woman can be and can accomplish. She will be remembered for her loving and generous demeanor, and for the calm dignified manner in which she carried herself. Barb was never pretentious, and spoke her mind in a way that expressed a point of view others knew was given with great thought and insight.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, brother, husband, and son-in-law Daniel Saunders. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Rob and Bobbi, Steve and Heidi, Beverly and Bob Pugh, and Gail Saunders. Her legacy includes five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren.
Private family services are planned for later this year.
Remembrance donations can be made to Valley Children's Hospital or Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum at Camp Edison in Shaver Lake.