Margery Hamilton Hayes Margery Rae Hamilton Hayes, born December 1, 1932, passed away peacefully of natural causes early morning on April 22, 2020 in Meridian, Idaho. Margery is survived by her siblings: Cathleen "Tina" Keller, Sidney, Maine; Patricia (William) Edgecomb, Randolph, Maine; George (Jean) Hamilton Sr., Franksville, Wisconsin; Suellen Reed, Waldoboro, Maine; her children: Russell (Carmen) Hayes, Kuna ID; James (Pamela) Hayes, Tempe, AZ; Cynthia (Roger) Levesque, Meridian, ID; Lawrence (Ginnyann) Hayes, Nampa, ID; Jennifer Knight, Van Nyes, CA; (Byron deceased) Mirah Hayes, Seoul Korea; Andrew (Heather) Hayes, Kuna, ID; Christopher (Shannon) Hayes, Meridian, ID. Margery was preceded in death by her parents Russell and Catherine and two younger sisters, Lotti Anne and Sara Hamilton, Hallowell, Maine. Her husband, Kenneth J. Hayes, burial at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N.Horseshoe Bend Road. Boise, Idaho. Son, Byron S.Hayes, burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Margery was the second daughter of Russell B. Hamilton and Catherine Fish Hamilton. Margery grew up in the small, industrious river town of Hallowell, Maine. She was a strong girl who faced adversity with kindness and care for others. Margery went to school at age 4 to be a runner for health emergencies for her older sister Lottie Anne who had a life threatening heart condition. Lottie Ann passed away in 1939 . Her father Russell Hamilton passed away four years later. These early deaths left her mother Catherine with 5 young children ranging in ages 8 to an infant. Margery(age 8) helped take care of her siblings while her mother found work as a registered nurse. Making happy family memories with her siblings and relatives at the family Cobbossee lake waterfront camp helped offset the tragedies of life. Camp was a place of refuge and peace for many years. Margery's children, and then grandchildren, felt the love and peace of the camp while sharing happy family memories there. Margery was crowned "Miss Hallowell" as a teenager. Margery and Kenny Hayes attended the same high school, where she was a cheerleader and he was the starting running back on the football team. Their introduction was a great "love at first sight" and high school sweetheart story. Ken joined the Marines and following bootcamp they were married on October 24, 1949. Margery gave birth to her first son, Russell, on her 20th birthday December 1, 1950. Two year later Jimmy was born, two years later Cindy, two years late Larry as they transitioned from military life the birth of four more children added to their joy of a growing family. Jennifer, Byron, Andrew and Christopher. Their love, dedication to each other and family was always top priority. Ken took a job that moved the family to Massachusetts where Jennifer was born. It was during this time that the family was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Margery's mother, Catherine, was a new member of the church and invited the missionaries to dinner with Ken, Margery and the kids. They were all baptized later that year. Byron was born soon after. Margery knew she wanted to be sealed in the Temple. So the small family saved all their extra money for over a year. Finally they traveled cross country in the family station wagon to the Logan temple in Utah where they were sealed as a family. The 6 kids wore matching outfits that Margery had made. Andrew and Chris were born in Massachusetts and completed the family of eight children. Ken was later transferred to Maine for his work. They spent 5 wonderful years on a farm with land and animals, which fulfilled a dream of Margery, living off the land, gardening, canning, milking the cow, making butter, riding horses, chasing pigs on the front lawn, collecting eggs from the 28 chickens, cooking, baking cakes and pies, never wanting to waste anything, she even attempted making hogs head cheese, which may have been good but we didn't want to try it. After wonderful years on the farm the company again transferred Ken. They moved to Chester, WV and later lived in East Liverpool, OH while Ken worked in western Pennsylvania. In 1985 they decided to move to Alaska where four of the older children were living. After the youngest son Chris graduated high school they moved back to Farmingdale, Maine to assist Margery's mom, Catherine, in her later years. They had many adventures traveling back and forth across the country with Catherine in a motorhome. After Cathrine passed away they moved to Idaho to be closer to their kids and grandchildren. They served a full-time service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Calgary, Canada. Margery was naturally positive and had a song ready to share when it was needed. Her family enjoyed being on the receiving end of her many artistic talents. She lived an extraordinary life, including working in the Pentagon in D.C. , Governor's mansion in Maine, singing in a Women's Choir at the World's Fair. She held many positions in the church including Relief Society President and Young Woman's President. She loved and cherished her 8 children, their spouses, her 29 grandchildren, and 49 great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her. Margery overcame many physical and life threatening ailments that challenged her physical abilities. She endured the heartache, devastation and pain of losing close family members at a very young age. She lost her beloved husband Ken in 2018, her son Byron died in Feb 2020. She kept a positive perspective of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation. She truly is "Miracle Marge." Margery was laid to rest by her beloved husband Kenneth at the Idaho Veterans Memorial Cemetery 10100 N.Horseshoe Bend Road. Boise, Idaho. Arrangements by Zeyer Funeral Chapel. No services or visitations were allowed due to COVID restrictions.
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