Virginia (Ginny) Hayes

Virginia (Ginny) Hayes

July 30, 1931 – August 8, 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Ginny Hayes.

Ginny was born in Marrietta, Ohio to Bessie and Charles Lane.  Ginny’s early years were shaped by the great depression era (when money/jobs were scarce), when everyone was expected to pitch in.  She learned skills such as baking, sewing and office managerial that she carried though her life. By high school she learned how to play the clarinet and joined the school band. Ginny also loved baseball and the Indians (now Guardians). She was even a pitcher on a coed baseball team, an uncommon sight for a young woman of her era.  After high school, she stayed in the Marrietta area working and helping her family.

Among many other passions, Ginny loved all things chocolate, and she never missed a chance to make a special chocolate treat for birthdays, holidays, and picnics (most often with a heavy dash of peanut butter—her favorite). In fact, it was her love of sweets that brought her together with her husband Atha, when she gave him a piece of chocolate at a fundraiser event.  That single piece of chocolate began a love story which led to a marriage that lasted almost 70 years.

When she and Atha married, they moved to the Akron, Ohio area, finally settling in Brimfield where they bought a home and raised their two daughters.  Ginny and Atha eventually started a successful heating and air conditioning business that they ran together for 27 years.  In between family and business, they were always available for local community fundraisers and their various service club functions. Ginny also loved to dance and would never turn down an occasion. She and Atha continued to dance together until Atha’s passing in 2019, and we are comforted to know they are finally dancing together again.

Above all else, Ginny lived her life dedicated to her family. She leaves behind her loving daughter Kathy Vukovic (Anthony), daughter Shari Hayes, grandsons Adam Vukovic (Elisha), Matthew Vukovic, and great-grandchildren Luka and Olivia.  She is also fondly remembered by her many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  She is preceded in death by her husband Atha, brother Tom, both sisters Sharlene (Meszaros) and Nancy (Marchal).

She will be greatly missed for her kindness and her unconditional love of family.

Funeral service will be at 1 PM on Thursday August 15, 2024 at the Billow Funeral Home Falls Chapel 1907 23rd St. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223. Family and friends may visit from 12-1 PM on Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Northlawn Memorial Gardens.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Falls Chapel, 1907 23rd Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH  44223.