Mary Soyomi Hayes

Mary Soyomi Hayes

(2/12/31 – 5/6/2024)

Mary was born in Kokura, Japan on February 12, 1931. She passed away Monday, May 6, at the Mabee Health Care Center in Manor Park following a brief illness. Mary was 93 years old.

Mary came to the United States following her marriage in 1950 to the late SGM Troy L. Hayes (Ret.). After WWII, Mary worked at a US military base where she met the young soldier from Georgia who would become her husband. Troy later would tell family that the first time he saw Mary he told his friend, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” They enjoyed 35 years of happiness until Troy’s untimely death in 1985.

A military wife and mother, Mary followed her husband’s career to Georgia, Japan, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Okinawa, New Jersey, and Colorado. In 2010, she followed her youngest daughter’s family to Midland, TX.

Mary will be remembered by her family and friends for her loving and beautiful spirit. She was funny, kind, generous, and the best word to describe her…. sassy! She loved shopping, dining out, traveling and watching a good British mystery or reality “cop show” on TV. But, most of all Mary loved her family and they loved and adored her right back.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Troy Hayes, and her parents, Noboru and Tsuyuko Yokota.

Mary is survived by her three children, Linda Thomas of Littleton, CO, Steven Hayes (Susan) of Phoenixville, PA, and Pollyanna Fryt (Monte) of Midland, TX, her grandchildren, Halley Thomas, Megan Thomas Pospahala (Chris), Adam Thomas, Whitney Thompson (Duncan), Arion Hayes, Troy Hayes, Peter Hayes, Olivia Fryt, Madeline Fryt, and four great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Solana, and Gunner Hayes, and Kaiya Thompson. Mary is also survived by her older sister, Miyuko Tamada and her two younger sisters, Midori Sugimoto and Yoshié Sugita, all residing in Japan.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Home Hospice, most especially Christina Collums, Melanie Clairmont, and Skip Hedgpeth, and to all the staff at Manor Park, the Mabee Health Care Center and Helen Greathouse Manor.

A private family memorial service will be held Thursday, June 27, 1:00 pm, at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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