Obituary: Doris J. Hayes, 75

Doris J. Hayes, 75, of Howell Township, died on January 1, 2012, surrounded by family.  A lifelong resident of Howell, she graduated from Lakewood High School in 1955 and married her one true love, Gerald N. Hayes, a month later.  They were married 49 years before his death in 2004.

Daughter of Austin and Mary Gunther, Doris was preceded in death by her husband; parents; five siblings, Helen Mershon, Thomas Gunther, Charles Gunther, John Gunther and Marion Johnson; and her son-in-law, Robert Wagner. She is survived by four daughters, Jennifer Wagner, Linda Hayes, Margaret Megill and her husband, William, and Catherine Capper; and one son, Gerald Hayes, Jr. and his wife, Diane; her grandchildren, Michael and his wife, Jessica, Amy, Sarah, Ashley, Marissa, Brittany, Adam, Emily, Christopher and Kevin and two sisters-in law, Frances and Angela Gunther.  Doris will be missed by her best friend, Hannah Briggs, and her dog, Princess.

She enjoyed volunteering and started the Howell Pop Warner Cheerleading Squad with her friend, Janet Green in 1968.  Doris was a Girl Scout Leader and a lifetime Ladies Auxiliary member for both the Howell First Aid Squad and the Southard Fire Department.  She was a school bus driver, and retired from Freehold Regional High School District in 2000.  Doris enjoyed bingo, traveling, gardening and the beach.

The family wishes to thank Bartley Healthcare and Sol Amor Hospice for providing such loving care in her final days, especially her nurse, granddaughter Jessica Capper. 

Visiting at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 & 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 10:30 AM funeral service at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 4, 2012.  Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Farmingdale, NJ.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.