FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
Monica Mary Hayes
03/02/1947 — 10/03/2013
From Renton, WA, US | Born in Richland, WA
Monica Mary Hayes
Monica Hayes Thornton passed away on October 3, 2013 in Seattle, WA surrounded by her loved ones after a quick and aggressive cancer that took her life. Born on March 2, 1947 to Ed and Betty Thornton she grew up in Richland where she attended Christ the King and Columbia High Schools. She retired in July 2013 after more than a 30-year civil service career as an Administrative Specialist in Japan, California and most recently the Veterans Administration in Seattle, WA.
Monica was special to all and she had a kind and bright spirit, a sassy sense of humor, lots of laughter and encouragement and a great big heart, volunteering her time and gifts to those in need. She loved all the arts but Monica especially loved the theater. A thespian at heart, she loved to act and she participated in many community theater productions in the Oakland, CA and Seattle areas and served on the Board of Directors of the Renton Civic Theater.
Monica is survived by her sister Ellen Thornton, nephew Matthew Thornton and husband Mike Bishop and family members Lilly, Keith, Mike, Jim, Brandon, Kevin, Kyle, Taylor, and Justin. Loved ones who preceded Monica in death were her Mother and Father, sister Carol Thornton and Baby Boy Cummings.
She will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland and a memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Renton WA. Her family requests in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to either the American Diabetes Association or the Cancer Society.
There will be a graveside inurnment on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 1:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.
Mike,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Monica’s family.
God Bless,
Jim
I will never forget the first person who taught me the ropes at the VAMC. I loved your spirit, gusto and attitude about work and life. Most of all, I will miss the afternoon movies and theatre we shared. You will be forever missed and loved always my dear friend.
I met Monica in 1974 when she played “Gooch” in Mame at our school. I fell in love with her then and kept her in my heart all of the rest of her life. Miss you Gooch.
Monica was such a pleasure to know. We were members of St. Anthony’s at the same time and met our husbands from there. I remember her smile so huge at the wedding reception after she and Mike were married. We stayed in contact till the end. She is smiling in heaven now. Sorry you left so soon, Monica.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Monica, for sharing your quick, wild wit with me, and befriending me when I was new to the VA.
I was so lucky to know you, however briefly, as I felt like I’d known you for years- always the hug, the smile, wondering how life was going???
Monica was the spiting image, down to the expressions verbal and facial of one of my best friends who is a sculptor.
We often spoke of art, and how Shakespeare had it right- all the world is indeed a stage, all of us merely players.
Monica was certainly one of the greatest players of life I’ve met on my path. I treasure all of my memories of her.
Monica is missed already. She was such a bright star where ever you met her–smiles and happy thoughts. I’ll always remember how she and Mike tucked Becky and Tanner under their wings on the Cedar River Path for CROP walk on a rainy day in May.
I loved Monica’s sense of humor and helpfulness. I will miss her. My condolences to her husband and family.
In my short time at VA Monica was a wonderful source of support and information. Her sense of humor always brought a smile to my face and she will be greatly missed. Heartfelt condolences to entire family.
It was a pleasure to have worked with Monica for so many years. In the early days of the HSR&D Center she was the glue that helped us grow into the large and successful enterprise it has become. She will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences.
Mike,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Monica’s family.
God Bless,
Jim
I will never forget the first person who taught me the ropes at the VAMC. I loved your spirit, gusto and attitude about work and life. Most of all, I will miss the afternoon movies and theatre we shared. You will be forever missed and loved always my dear friend.
I met Monica in 1974 when she played “Gooch” in Mame at our school. I fell in love with her then and kept her in my heart all of the rest of her life. Miss you Gooch.
Monica was such a pleasure to know. We were members of St. Anthony’s at the same time and met our husbands from there. I remember her smile so huge at the wedding reception after she and Mike were married. We stayed in contact till the end. She is smiling in heaven now. Sorry you left so soon, Monica.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Thank you, Monica, for sharing your quick, wild wit with me, and befriending me when I was new to the VA.
I was so lucky to know you, however briefly, as I felt like I’d known you for years- always the hug, the smile, wondering how life was going???
Monica was the spiting image, down to the expressions verbal and facial of one of my best friends who is a sculptor.
We often spoke of art, and how Shakespeare had it right- all the world is indeed a stage, all of us merely players.
Monica was certainly one of the greatest players of life I’ve met on my path. I treasure all of my memories of her.
Monica is missed already. She was such a bright star where ever you met her–smiles and happy thoughts. I’ll always remember how she and Mike tucked Becky and Tanner under their wings on the Cedar River Path for CROP walk on a rainy day in May.
I loved Monica’s sense of humor and helpfulness. I will miss her. My condolences to her husband and family.
In my short time at VA Monica was a wonderful source of support and information. Her sense of humor always brought a smile to my face and she will be greatly missed. Heartfelt condolences to entire family.
It was a pleasure to have worked with Monica for so many years. In the early days of the HSR&D Center she was the glue that helped us grow into the large and successful enterprise it has become. She will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences.
Our dear loved friends and neighbor for years we love you and will miss all the laughs and visits shared over the years. May god be with you in all you do and pritect you always Mike, Ellen ,& Matt. Our lovr &prayers Dick &Jan
Lohdefinck
What a talented, wise, fun-loving woman! Being somewhat of a witchy Buddhist, I’ve spied you looking down at us with love and patience, already planning the adventures for your next lifetime! Hurry back, Monica!
Haven’t seen Monica in years but still
can hear her laughter and see her smile
I remember Monica so well from our times at McGucken. Her radiant smile and great laugh were as distinctive as she was. Although I have not seen Monica in years, I share the sorrow that we have lost such a wonderful woman, wife, actress and friend.
What a wonderful, fun loving person Monica was. We spent many hours laughing and sharing theatre performances, games and all around good times. Albert and I will miss her dearly and hope that Michael knows to stay in touch.
All of our love Lynn-Clar & Albert
I am sorry to hear of Monica’s passing. I have many fond memories of playing with the girls in the grassy area behind our houses. I babysat the girls occasionally. you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Monica loved life and experienced as much as she could. She got joy out of the little treasures of life. She was always looking for the hidden little small restaurant down a blind alley or a tiny book store in a forgotten corner of the city. She was an adventurous spirit who will be greatly missed as she moves forward on her newest little adventure. God Bless you Monica….
My thoughts and prayers go with you Monica, my love and condolences to the family. Donna Fredette
I was so sorry to hear of Monica’s passing. I have so many fun memories of her from high school, and then we were able to catch up on Facebook. I had a visit with Monica last year when she was in Richland to help out at a garage sale. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
God bless you, Monica. You brought such joy to those who knew you. Condolences to the family, and God’s love.
So sorry to hear the loss of a classmate. My prayers go out to the family. God bless all of you.
Patti Snider Miller
Monica was my lifeline when I started at the VA. No question was too big, too small, or too dumb. She fielded them all, day in and day out, with a sense of humor that turned the mundane into the interesting. She had a great impact on the Center during her time here, both personally and professionally. She is missed. My condolences to Mike and her family.
Monica was the consumate trooper, always making sure things got done and people were taken care of.
We all miss her.
My heartfelt condolences to Monica’s family. She was a bright spot at work and helped make our office a community. She is sorely missed.
Monica was a joy to work with here at the VA. She will be sorely missed. Our condolences to all her loved ones at this difficult time.
Monica was well-loved at the VA and especially by all of us at HSR&D, who she helped steer our ways through the complexity of the VA system and did it always with a smile. Everytime I see a Pink Flamingo, I’ll think of Monica! We will miss you. Our thoughts and hugs to Mike and her family.
Thank you Monica, for all that you have brought to this world. I wish you safe travels and many adventures in the next. My well wishes of peace, health, and happiness to all your friends and family.
I met Monica in my first community play in 1974. Little did I know what an impact she would have on my life as a friend and supporter. We will all miss her smiling face and love that she gave to all.
I will always remember The Teddi Bears singing Going to the Chapel. We had so much fun with that song! Rest in peace dear Monica.
Judy Peterson
Oakland, Ca
Monica will always be a bright and beautiful spirit. I knew this from the moment I met her, and would go home to tell my partner about the colorful person I met at work who I felt a strange connection to that I could not explain. I was initially struck by her dedication to her job. She was hard working with the force of a freight train. Her drive welled from a deep desire to help Veterans. She always made herself available to help others, and did it with a sense of humor that made me laugh out loud and look forward to coming to work to hear her stories and wise take on life. It quickly became clear this was a glimpse into the vibrant, kind, and compassionate person she was overall. Her passion framed everything she did in life, her kindness extended to everyone, and her spirit touched the lives of all she came in contact with. Although she will be truly missed here on Earth, I am comforted to know there is an angel in Heaven having a good laugh at one of her stories.
I can only see Monica with a smile. I have so many memories of mutually incisive banter with Monica. Joy was her gift to all. I am heartened by the memory of the last St. Anthony Paris vent with which Mike and Monica served–the 2012 Valentine’s Matrimony Meal. It was a hoot serving wine with Mike & Monica. Missing you in this place and knowing you are in a g reater place.
Monica Hayes you were a joy to everyone who knew you. You were witty and wise, patient and kind. I can still hear that laugh of yours. I will always remember our trip to DC when HSR&D hosted the annual meeting. What fun we had sightseeing in DC. You will forever be in our hearts. Rest easy my friend – until we meet again.
Monica was one of the first people to befriend me when I was a shy teenager dating my now husband Rich. He introduced me to a wonderful horde of characters. Monica dubbed me Lizard & she was the only one with that privileged. I miss her sunny smile, the dry humor, the excitement about each new thing & for her even the old things never got “old”. I am so happy she was a part of my life for so many years, even when we lived so far away, and she will live forever in my heart & memories. Farewell MonICa
It won’t be the same without you, Monica, my dear sweet friend… I can hear you laugh as if you were standing right next to me and I can see your smiling face. I will always treasure the time that we had together talking, eating, laughing and sharing stories about high school and everything that life had to offer. I am grateful that we shared as much as we did before God called you home… You are loved and will be deeply missed and I will never forget you! Mike, we love you and we send our prayers and deepest condolences to you and the family.
Carolyn Moore & Robert Stearns
On the stage of life Monica, you were a star! As a friend, you gave with love and care beyond measure. I will miss your smile and telephone calls. Your faith so often carried many through difficult times. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. Love always, LouLou
Rest in peace, Monica. You were a bright light to those who knew you. Your sense of humor was priceless. I am sad to see you go but happy that you are in such a wonderful place.
Oh Monica, I remember telling you once that I liked to perform with really good people, because that made me better. You made me better, on stage and in life. Your positive attitude, your faith, and that smile along with your wry humor, no matter what the circumstances, never failed to work a change for the good in me. I will miss you, my friend. Until we meet again.
Heartfelt condolences to Mike, Ellen and Matt, & the rest of the family.
/cb
Dear Monica, you will be missed by all. Kindest thoughts to you and your family.
So sorry to hear about Monica. It’s b
een a long time since we’ve seen you. Will keep you all in our prayers.
I met Monica briefly while working at the VA. She always wore a smile on her face. My condolences to her family for their loss.
Monica was very special. My heart goes out to you, Mike and your family. I know how you loved her and and how you must miss her. You will be in my prayers.
Guestbook for
Monica Mary Hayes