Rosemary June Hayes
Rosemary June Hayes
Waterloo
Rosemary June Hayes, 77, of Marion, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, at The Views of Marion Senior Living, following a long struggle with dementia.
Rosemary was born on Aug. 20, 1946, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Helen Petersen Hayes.
She graduated from Columbus High School Waterloo, Class of 1964. Her first job was as the manager of the Strand Theater in Waterloo. Then she subsequently worked for Vend-A-Food, a catering service that served the cafeterias at John Deere. She joined the union and became a Steward. She ran for and won election for the business agent position. Her experience and knowledge of Labor Law led her to the U.S. Department of Labor, becoming one of the first women in the country as a U.S. Federal Mediator. When she retired, she continued as an U.S. Federal Labor Arbitrator for many years. Rosemary left an incredible mark for the time she was here. A spitfire, she was never one to let her opinion be unheard. She was passionate about making a mark!
She enjoyed watching American Idol, she was also an avid reader, she loved vacationing with her sisters, traveling with her friends and visiting casinos. Rosemary also loved the annual Hayes family tradition of Christmas Caroling, her singing voice will now be heard amongst the choir of angels.
She is survived by her siblings: Patricia McCarthy, Clinton, Tom and Carol Hayes, Shorewood, Illinois; Dennis and Nancy Hayes, Cedar Falls, Jane Hayes, Grundy Center, Becky Hayes and Jim Ickes, Marion, and her seven nieces and seven nephews and their children. She loved her family and friends dearly and would do anything for them.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, Kent McClain and Tom McCarthy; her brother, Steve; and her sister, Judy.
A Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. immediately followed by public visitation until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Home on West Ridgeway, Waterloo. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Waterloo at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waterloo following conclusion of the Funeral Mass. The mass will be live streamed on the parish website www.queenofpeaceparish.net.
A luncheon will be served at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Waterloo, following the burial service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
The Hayes family wants to thank the entire staff at The Views of Marion Senior Living, and Hospice of Mercy of Cedar Rapids for their loving care of Rosemary.
The Hayes family asks that Memorials be sent to the local Alzheimer Organization in Rosemary’s name.
Online condolences may be left at www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com.