LOIS BROOKS HAILEY

Nine years have passed and it seems but a few minutes. Mrs Hailey and her optimism and wisdom live on. Thank God for women like her!!

(This tribute was provided to Lois's son, Andy, on 3/12/2010, after Lois was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, and was added here by Andy.)

I was one of Mrs. Hailey's orchestra students at Bowie High School class of 1966.

I hold Mrs Hailey's in the highest respect as a gifted teacher, mentor and blessed human being. I can look back and say, Mrs. Hailey was unique. She was a truly independent spirit. She was highly intelligent. Like Amelia Earhart who at the El...

To my best cousin and his Family in the whole world, thank you. You have been honest and loyal to me, just like your Mom was to me.

I loved her and hold close to my inner sole all the wisdom she taught me, including the letters and newspaper editorials she used to write. I saved them all. She was and still is my favorite famous great aunt. I'm glad we in the Reno area could honor her in my garden and fly a few ashes over
Pelican Island, Pyramid Lake, with the help of the...

Lois,

Thanks for being my dear friend and for sharing your love for Cathy. We have become so close. Because of your relationship with your great niece, I feel you have given me the chance to know her better. She is really looking after me very well. I miss talking with you. I will always keep in touch with you-Andy and Mary Kathryn. Love, Eslie

Dear Lois, as you fly to new horizons, may the air be clear and the skies blue. Please take with you a package of love and my thank you for your friendship.

I honor your service with a salute and a prayer that God bless and keep you in His hand.
Sara, WASP 44-10

I guess I'm the last one to write my thoughts on your mom. There have been so many and we had such good times. I just read Mickey's letter and she indicated there weren't many of us El Paso bunch left - whoa! What happened? Life is going too fast. Years ago Lois sent a little pecan tree start from her yard - I had told Fred, my husband, about her trees, etc and he wanted to try growing one. I forget what year that was, but we have "topped" the tree at least twice and it is still about...

Mrs. Hailey came into my life at a very important time for me: My sophomore year in high school (Andy's Junior year): one year before I started driving; one year before I started my first social security & federal income tax paying job at Walgreens Drug Store; one year before I started, seriously dating (which had a lot to do with getting that driver's license); and seven years before I went into the military (USNR for me and five years before Andy went into the USN).
I took my...

Mrs.Hailey, not only served as a pilot out of love for our country but was also a devoted orchestra teacher who taught at my middle school Guillen, located in south El Paso. Most of the students or parents in south El Paso are immigrants. I remember,as if it was just yesterday, how she presented us with traditional Mariachi mexican music. We looked at her in surprise, she smiled and told us these were some of her favorite Mexican songs. She also made sure her students all participated in the...

Lois "soared the skies on laughter silvered wings....", helping American pilots by testing aircraft they'd need to combat aggression in Europe and Asia. In doing so, she helped Americans keep the freedoms we take for granted, making her one of the heroines to thank this Memorial Day. And I thank her for being part of my life personally in El Paso as her son and I, together with a few friends, raised our own kind of awareness among the residents of two nations, leaving our mark. And Lois is to...