Joan W. P. Hayes

Joan W.P. Hayes, age 86, died at the Pines Rehab on January 17, 2024, where she resided since a recent decline in her health.

Joan was born in Middlebury, VT, on September 1, 1937, daughter to the late Gilbert O. and Isobel Mary (Whitman) Poro. She was raised and educated in Middlebury, Lyndonville, and St. Johnsbury. Graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in the Class of 1955. 

She worked at Dean’s Shoes following high school, at St. Johnsbury Trucking for 15 years and various other jobs during her life. 

She was an avid reader with Nicolas Sparks being her favorite author. Joan was a very talented knitter, she knitted things for so many people throughout her life and very much enjoyed giving gifts of warmth, that were also handmade with her love. Joan was a great friend to many, she was kind, supportive, caring and dedicated to those she called friend.

Joan was a longtime communicant of Corpus Christi Parish, was very active in the parish as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and assisted for years at funeral receptions. She greatly enjoyed meeting and helping people, especially newcomers to the parish.

Joan is survived by son Michael J. Hayes (Sue Ladue) of St Johnsbury, grandson Ryan M. Hayes of St Johnsbury. Nieces and nephews: Andrea Dawson (John Conway), Paula Brown, Karen Brown, Susan Dawson Karlson (Eric Karlson), Kathleen Brown, Jaime Bates, David Brown (Ruth Brown), Mark Brown, and Rufus (Hank) Dawson III (Karole Davis).

She was predeceased by her sisters Marilyn Brown, Jacqueline Dawson, and Julie Nash, and brother Gilbert Martin. Brother-in-laws Wayne Brown, Rufus H Dawson Jr and sister-in-law Jennie Martin as well as her step-father Lt Chester L Nash.

Memorial visitation will be held from 5pm-7pm on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street in St Johnsbury.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 am Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at St John Evangelist Catholic Church on Winter Street.

Burial will be held at 3 pm at St Mary’s Cemetery in Middlebury, VT.

Memorial donations may be made either to Corpus Christi Parish, 42 Winter Street, St Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to St Mary’s Catholic Church, 73 Weybridge Street, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com.