Obituary of Ann Marie Hayes

September 3, 1924 – Fox Valley, Saskatchewan

July 26, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Ann Marie Hayes (nee Metz) passed away peacefully at her home in Calgary, AB, on Friday, July 26, 2024, surrounded by the love and support of her five daughters.

Ann was born on September 3, 1924, in Fox Valley, SK, to Eva and Anton Metz. She was the fourth of eight children in a large farming family, which included seven girls and one boy. It was from here that Ann developed her incredible work ethic while still managing to nurture her role as “the fun one”. She displayed these traits throughout her life.

Ann was predeceased by her husband Tom; five of her siblings: Frank Metz, Ida Peters, Hilda Lawlor, Elsie Stein and Kathryn Metz; her two sons-in-law, John Lojek and Ian Gray; and two grandsons, Thomas Lojek and Stefan Lojek. She is survived by her five loving daughters and two sisters, Dorothy Exelby and Rose MacPhail.

At a young age, Ann was involved in many sports, but her favourite was certainly baseball. Both her batting and play-making ability earned her the nickname “Ann How”, a story she loved to both hear and tell. As a young lady, she attended business school in Medicine Hat and later moved to Regina where she met her husband of 50 years, Thomas Patrick Hayes. They started their family in 1955 with the first of five girls, Mary (John) Lojek of Calgary, AB, followed by Patty (Ian) Gray of Winnipeg, MB, twins, Margaret (Brian) Strain of Nanaimo, BC, and Lorna (Byron) Merkosky of Edam, SK, and Susan (Chris) Sparling of Calgary, AB. Although Ann often teased that she really wanted boys, her daughters blessed her with 21 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren.

After marriage, Ann and Tom moved from Regina to Tisdale, then to North Battleford, Saskatoon and finally to Calgary. After Tom’s passing in 2004, Ann eventually moved into the Manor Village at Garrison Woods, where she resided for the past fifteen years.

Ann was a student of life and always remained up to date on world news and current events. She was keenly observant, and her sharp mind could rapidly parse truth from fiction. She had an unwavering devotion to her Catholic Faith and was a role model to many. Her deep love for family and her insightful wisdom will be sorely missed.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of the Manor Village at Garrison Woods. They provided Ann with incredible care, and she considered them all to be dear friends.

The family would also like to extend special thanks to Dr. Gita Krueger for her compassion, respect and unselfish willingness to go the extra mile. She was an absolute gift and is a credit to her profession.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church (5504 – 20th Street S.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (A.A.R.C), 303 Forge Road S.E., T2H 0S9, Telephone (403) 253-5250, www.aarc.ab.ca.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ann’s family here.

In living memory of Ann Hayes, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.