July 16, 1927 – Feb. 23, 2014
Theresa M. Hayes, of East Aurora, who shared her joy for music with the community, died Sunday in Fox Run of Orchard Park. She was 86.
Born Theresa Pantera in South Buffalo, she was a graduate of Mount Mercy Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree in 1949 from Marywood College in Scranton, Pa., and also studied at the Juilliard School of Music in Manhattan, where she pursued her passion for music.
Mrs. Hayes taught music and science for a few years at Mount Mercy Academy before becoming a wife and mother. She later returned to work at the academy, teaching a marriage course for high school girls.
She was choir director at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in East Aurora in the 1950s and ’60s, and sang with the Buffalo Choral Arts Society in the 1960s and ’70s. She also mentored many students.
She and her husband, Dr. Donald L. Hayes, received an affiliation to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Order of Friars Minor for their charity and kindness to the Franciscan Friars.
Survivors, in addition to her husband of 59 years, include five daughters, Kathleen M. Holtkamp, Mary C. Shymanski, Elizabeth E. Gardner, Christina M. Hinman and Therese A.; two sons, Donald M. and Christopher J.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Immaculate Conception Church, 510 Oakwood Ave., East Aurora.
Theresa M. Hayes, of East Aurora, who shared her joy for music with the community, died Sunday in Fox Run of Orchard Park. She was 86.
Born Theresa Pantera in South Buffalo, she was a graduate of Mount Mercy Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree in 1949 from Marywood College in Scranton, Pa., and also studied at the Juilliard School of Music in Manhattan, where she pursued her passion for music.
Mrs. Hayes taught music and science for a few years at Mount Mercy Academy before becoming a wife and mother. She later returned to work at the academy, teaching a marriage course for high school girls.
She was choir director at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in East Aurora in the 1950s and ’60s, and sang with the Buffalo Choral Arts Society in the 1960s and ’70s. She also mentored many students.
She and her husband, Dr. Donald L. Hayes, received an affiliation to the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus of the Order of Friars Minor for their charity and kindness to the Franciscan Friars.
Survivors, in addition to her husband of 59 years, include five daughters, Kathleen M. Holtkamp, Mary C. Shymanski, Elizabeth E. Gardner, Christina M. Hinman and Therese A.; two sons, Donald M. and Christopher J.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in Immaculate Conception Church, 510 Oakwood Ave., East Aurora.