Susan Mary Hayes

Susan Hayes, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on January 5, 2024, at age 87. Born December 16, 1936, to parents Francis and Isabel McNiff, Susan Mary McNiff was raised in Pasadena with six siblings. She attended the Mayfield School in Pasadena and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1955. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco, where she met John L. (Jack) Hayes. Jack and Sue were married on July 11, 1964, and moved to Burlingame, where they raised two daughters, Katherine and Kristen, were active members of the community and where they made a close group of lifelong friends. After Burlingame, Sue and Jack lived in Stockton and Aptos before moving to Benicia. They enjoyed travel adventures in England, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Lichtenstein, Austria, and Switzerland. They were married more than 50 years before Jack’s passing in 2015. Sue continued to live in Benicia until 2023, when she moved to Meridian, Idaho. Sue worked as a legal secretary for more than 25 years in San Mateo, Stockton and Watsonville. She also worked for Woolworth and Co. in Burlingame and at Camellia Tea Room in Benicia. But volunteering was her passion, and Sue lent her hard-working spirit to many nonprofit organizations including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Families in Transition, Sutter Solano Medical Center Guild. She also served on the board of the Benicia Historical Society and was a member of the League of Women Voters. Sue was a wonderful hostess and cook, welcoming friends and family for dinner parties and holiday gatherings. She sewed Christmas stockings for dozens of young family members over the years and was the ultimate sender of greeting cards, never missing a birthday, holiday, or other special occasion. Sue was also a devoted grandmother (aka Gigi), attending sporting events including hockey, swimming, baseball, soccer and lacrosse. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and sister Anne Henke. Sue is survived by: siblings Grant, Sheila and Francis “Poncho” McNiff, Mary (Don) Foree, and Ellen (Tony) Kovach; daughters Katie (Tom) Hickey of Durham, N.C., and Kristen (Andrew) Victoriano of Meridian, Idaho; grandchildren Dillan, Carson and Bode Hickey, and Drew, Katie (Dylan Carnemolla), Matt (Brooke Walden) and Ryan (Summer Nugen) Victoriano; great-grandson Cason Carnemolla; brother- and sister-in law Jerry and Maryellen Hayes; many nieces and nephews; and a large group of extended family and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 9, at St. Dominic's Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia. Burial will follow in St. Dominic's Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, c/o St. Dominic’s Church in Benicia.

Susan Mary Hayes

December 16, 1936 - January 5, 2024