Hazel Pauline Hayes

Hazel "Pauline" Hayes, age 103, passed away in San Diego on May 15, 2025. She was born on March 3, 1922 in Bedford, Indiana, the first of four children of Geoffrey and Edna Hawkins.
Pauline attended all 12 years at Shawswick School in Bedford. She graduated from Indiana Central Business College in Indianapolis in June 1941 and returned to Bedford to work as a secretary. She married her long-time Shawswick classmate, Joseph "Vonn" Hayes on December 31, 1942. The only time that she and Vonn were separated during their 73-year marriage was during World War II when Vonn was stationed in the Philippines.
After WWII ended, they returned to Bedford and started their family. In 1954 they moved to Indianapolis where Vonn took a teaching position at Warren Central High School and Pauline focused on raising their two daughters. She re-entered the workforce a few years later as a secretary and data processing clerk in the administrative office of the Warren school system. She retired from there in 1985. She and Vonn moved to San Diego in 1994 to be nearer their daughters and grandchildren.
Pauline was a lifelong Christian, actively participating in the church. She lived her faith through her love of family and friends. She enjoyed reading, playing games, and sharing time with her loved ones.
During Pauline's childhood years in the Great Depression, their home did not have indoor plumbing, central heating or electrical appliances. Throughout her life, however, she embraced modernization, including computers, the internet, and a smartphone.
She is survived by her daughters Linda Schepman (Dennis) of Escondido, CA, and Vickie Ross (James) of Orange, CA; grandchildren, Angela Schepman Gruneisen, Marc Schepman, and Lisa Schepman Bolton; 4 great grandchildren; two step grandchildren, Adam Ross and Brooke Rinaldi; her sister, Margaret Whitted (Pete) of Brandon, FL; and her brother-in-law Freeman Hayes (Martha) of Hubbard Lake, MI. She was predeceased by brothers James Hawkins and Harold Dean Hawkins.
She will be interred with her husband at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church, 17010 Pomerado Road, San Diego, CA 92128.