Bernadette Celeste Hayes

August 10, 2017 Bernadette Celeste Hayes, 56, of El Dorado County was stolen from her family by cancer. She passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017. She was the first daughter and third child of eight born to Art and Mary Hayes on December 29, 1960, in San Jose, California. She attended the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific in Stockton where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to earn her Masters degree in Educational Technology from The University of San Francisco, the city's first university, that was established in 1855 by the Jesuits. Bernadette grew up to love nature, animals and the great outdoors. As a kid, she found much joy in riding one of the horses from her farm in North Idaho. Many a time she'd ride a horse into the vast surrounding forest where she'd let it graze in a wild meadow while she wrote poetry or read. She was a talented musician who sang, played the violin and piano. Bernadette was a passionate and dedicated teacher for over twenty years in both the private and public sector. She spent the majority of her life in service to others, had a heart of gold, was truly a fun & funny person to be around keeping you in stitches a lot of the time. She maintained her incredible sense of humor throughout her last months. Trials and tribulations seemed to follow her in life but she always found laughter to be her best medicine along with her deep inner spiritual strength. She was a poet, an avid reader, possessed a very sharp intellect, always studying, learning, researching and helping others learn. We mourn the loss of such an amazing, funny, awesome, kind, twinkle in her eyes, dimples in her cheeks, talented, beautiful inside & out sister, aunt & friend. Snowline Hospice commented on how stoic and gracious toward them she was throughout the months that they would visit her. This was Bernadette: strong, a fighter, humorous, entertaining, gracious and always thinking of others. Aidan, Isabella & Liam nicknamed her and she will forever be their treasured "Auntie B!" All of our lives were so much richer and full of light, love and laughter for having known her! Bernadette was preceded in death by her father who she called her hero, Art Hayes, who passed in 1990 due to complications from Lou Gehrig's disease and her infant sister, Jacinta Maria Hayes in 1972. Bernadette is survived by her mother, Mary Lou Hayes; her siblings, Mark (Cindy), Kent (Anne), Maria, Joanna, Francis (Nancy) and Teresa (Matt); her ten nieces and nephews, Kelvin, Rachelle, Catrina, Catherine, Nolan, Gregory, Sean, Aidan, Isabella Rose, her goddaughter, and Liam; and her partner and love, Russ. Memorial services will be at St. Mary's Cemetery & Funeral Center, 6509 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95820 Monday, 8/21/17, viewing 5-7 p.m. with Rosary at 7p.m. Tuesday, 8/22/17 10 a.m. Catholic memorial Mass followed by burial.