Janet M. Hayes

1949 - 2022

Janet Margaret Hayes, 73, of New Buffalo passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City, Ind.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 26, at St. Mary of The Lake Catholic Church in New Buffalo, with Father Basker Lopez officiating. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 3-7 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Sommerfeld Chapel, 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo.

Memorial donations in Janet's name may be made to New Buffalo Public Library or New Buffalo High School.

Those wishing to sign Janet's memory book online may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.com.

Janet was born on Aug. 26, 1949, in Chicago to Merrill and Kathleen (Wheeler) Wilbur.

She graduated from The Academy of Our Lady High School in Chicago, Class of 1967. Janet was blessed with the gift of writing, and she served as an editor of the high school newspaper. She furthered her studies at Northern Illinois University, where she also contributed to the university newspaper and was the Dean's Award recipient and continued her education at Loyola University, earning a master's degree in journalism.

Janet gained employment with the South Town Economist as a feature writer with her own regular column. After several years, Janet was hired by Centel Phone Co., where she traveled the country promoting the company. After many years, Janet retired and moved to a community she truly loved – New Buffalo. She purchased Mailbox Etc. which she operated for many years and then worked for the New Buffalo Chamber of Commerce members as a public relations consultant. In recent years, Janet also contributed articles to the New Buffalo Times. Janet was an avid supporter of New Buffalo, the New Buffalo Public Library and New Buffalo High School. She truly loved her community.

Janet was a member of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, and in her free time, enjoyed tending to her flower gardens around her home. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Janet is survived by her sister, Helen Fioresi of Lake in the Hills, Ill., and her brother, Thomas M. Wilbur of Michigan City.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Wilbur; her brother-in-law, Peter Fioresi; her long-time love, Thomas Ray; and his mother, Hazel Burns, who Janet cared for after Thomas' death.