Janet A. Hayes

1933 - 2024

Walworth/Lake Geneva, WI - Janet A. Hayes (Kavanagh) was called home to heaven on August 30, 2024. Janet was born on February 7, 1933 in the small town of Carson City, Michigan, where in 1953 she met and married the love of her life, John Hayes. They lived in several places in Michigan and Illinois while raising their family and spent summers running camps in Michigan, Canada, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Jan and Jack finally settled in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Jan was active in the Williams Bay area community for many years, helping Jack run Conference Point Center, being on the St. Benedicts Bazaar committee, and helping with St. Vincent DePaul. Jan also established, with Jack's help, the Walworth County Diabetic Support Group, which helped educate and support hundreds of diabetics over many years. Jan enjoyed numerous crafts, especially painting and knitting. Jan embraced her Irish heritage, and was able to visit Ireland with Jack and several relatives after they retired. Jan had many Irish keepsakes, including the twinkle in her eye and the spring in her step. She looked forward to the many family gatherings at her home with the highlight each year being Christmas. There was always lots of fun, food and laughter with "Grandma Grape."

Janet loved being surrounded by her large family and watching it grow as grandchildren and great grandchildren were added. Jan is survived by her five children: Michael Hayes (Deborah), Mary (Darrell) Zastrow, Julie Hayes (Frank), Jane (Jeff) Smith and Trish (Rob) Edwards; her grandchildren: Trevor (Amy), Josh (Jess), Ben (Mary Ann), Daniel (Amber), Jennifer (Jesse), Patrick (Taylor), Marina (Ikjot), Tatiana (Jake), Stephanie, Andriana, Lisbeth (Riley), Gabrielle and Madeline; great-grandchildren: Maisie, Josephine, River, Liam, Harriet, Zoe, John, Everly, Harrison, Andrew and Ellis. Janet is also survived by her sisters, Louise and Rosemary; sister-in-law, Florence; brothers-in-law, Art and Jim; and many nieces and nephews.

Janet spent her last 9 years happily at Golden Years in Walworth and Lake Geneva. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John; her parents, James and Lucille Kavanagh; brothers: Robert, Padriac and Larry; nephew, Paul; niece, Carrie; brothers-in-law: Gerry, William and Paul; and sisters-in-law: Mary Jo, Barbara, Helen and Dorothy.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on October 5, 2024 at 11:00 at St. Benedict Church, 137 Dewey Ave., Fontana WI. Visitation will precede mass from 10:00 to 11:00, with a luncheon to follow mass at Lion's Field House, 270 Elkhorn Road, Williams Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul.