Rita A. Hayes

Rita A. (Sawyer) Hayes, 83, beloved wife of Deacon Myles “Ray” Hayes, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 6, 2023, at UMass Memorial Healthcare, University Campus. She was the daughter of the late Wilfrid E. and Edna J. (Bernard) Sawyer. Rita was a dedicated wife, mother, grand-mother, sister, aunt, and friend. There was nothing that she enjoyed more than spending time together at the many celebrations and gatherings of her loved ones. She adored the special attention of her feline companions, Athena and Artemis.

Born and raised in Worcester, Rita was a faithful and dedicated founding member of St. George Church where she was a participant of the choir and the Women’s Guild. Rita was a believer in the power of prayer to ease others’ suffering. Every day, she wore a symbol of this belief in the form of a guardian angel pin. Rita was a long-standing member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. She was honored to be a Lady of the Order of The Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Rita was proudly employed by Consumer Auto Parts as a payroll manager and office clerk for over 25 years.

Rita was passionate about her favorite hobby of completing jigsaw puzzles, and she was usually engaged for hours on end. She looked forward to annual summer vacations to Hampton Beach, and she believed that vacations were enhanced by inviting her circle of family and friends to join with her to share in making memories on these trips for over 50 years of her life.

She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her husband of 60 years, Deacon Myles “Ray” Hayes; her daughter, Kathleen Carlson and her husband, Mitchel of Charlton; her four sons, Patrick Hayes and his wife, Pamela of West Boylston, Daniel Hayes and his wife, Margaret of Worcester, Brian Hayes of Worcester, and Kevin Hayes and his wife, Deborah of Holden; her sister, Lorraine Fortin and her husband, Roger of Worcester; her seven grandchildren, Michaela and Marissa Hayes, Steven and Tyler Carlson, and Joseph, Nora and Cara Hayes; her niece, Michele Aubin; and two nephews, David and Marc Fortin.

Heartfelt thanks for the compassionate care provided by her caregivers and companions over the last year, and especially to Accessible Home Health Care of Central Massachusetts.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17 at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18 at St. George Church, 40 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, 162 Webster Street, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Church. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.