Martha Elizabeth (Burleigh) Hayes |
| Posted 2026-02-08 by mhenderson |
| Published by Today's News-Herald on Feb. 7, 2026 - Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Martha Elizabeth Hayes, age 78, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 8, 1947, in New York, New York, to Douglas Burleigh and Elizabeth Bullard Burleigh. Martha was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, John Mervin Hayes; her brother, David Burleigh of San Francisco, California; her daughters, Jennifer Margaret Hayes Essigs of New Canaan, Connecticut and Jodie Mary Hayes Wong and her husband, Wiatt Wong of Anthem, Arizona; and her cherished grandchildren, William Hayes Essigs and his wife, Anneliese Brown, Nathaniel Hayes Essigs, and Kaylee Marna Wong. Martha married John Mervin Hayes on January 28, 1967, in Flint, Michigan. Together they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. In 1972, Martha and John moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where they raised their family and formed lifelong friendships. They later settled in Anthem, Arizona, to be closer to Jodie, Wiatt, and Kaylee. Summers were often spent in the cool mountain air of Pinetop, Arizona, a place they came to love deeply and where they made their full-time home in 2020. Martha was a faithful and devoted Christian throughout her life and found great joy in her church community at Pinetop Community Presbyterian Church. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Women's Club, where she participated in service projects and acts of kindness that reflected her quiet generosity and steadfast faith. Martha worked for many years at the United States Post Office, retiring after approximately 30 years of dedicated service. In retirement, she embraced a full and meaningful life. She focused her time on friends, tending her garden, hiking in the mountains, practicing yoga, and traveling to visit family. In her final weeks, Martha found special joy living in New Canaan with her family nearby. She often expressed gratitude for family dinners, time together, and the simple comfort of being surrounded by those she loved most. She frequently said she had a good family and that she was grateful for her life. Martha will be remembered for her gentle, positive spirit, deep faith, love of family, and a life quietly devoted to service and gratitude. A memorial service will be held in late spring or early summer in Pinetop, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a church or nonprofit organization of your choice. |
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