Catherine Virginia Hayes

      Catherine "Cat" Virginia (Dunkle) Hayes passed away Thursday, July 16th, 2026. Cathy was born in Mt. Pleasant, MI on July 28th, 1957. She was the daughter of Gary and Joy Wood. She graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1975. On January 11th, 1985, Cathy married the love of her life, Richard Lee Hayes, at his brother Ken's home in Ithaca, MI.
     Cathy spent nearly 20 years working at the former Comfort Inn of Alma, starting out as a housekeeper and quickly worked her way up to the position of housekeeping manager. Cathy retired from this position to enjoy spending quality time with her eight grandchildren. However, not one to stay still for too long, Cathy came out of retirement to work at South Elementary School as a beloved paraprofessional where she adored her students.
      Cathy's steadfast faith in God and love for her family was obvious to anyone who knew her. She proudly wore the title of "Grandma Hayes" and "Meemaw" and she could always be found beaming with pride in the crowd at any of her children's and grandchildren's activities. In her free time, Cathy loved to be outside, enjoying the sun on her patio. Other hobbies included watching basketball, football, and dirt track racing with her husband, Rich.
      Cathy is survived by her husband, Richard Hayes; children: Amberlea (Kevin) Zimmerman, Richard Hayes II, Teri (Matt) Weber, and Tiffany Martinez. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Lincoln "Peanut' Zimmerman, Amelia "Boo" Martinez, Gary "Tiger" Kreider, Charlotte "Cricket" Martinez, Shiloh "Sweet Pea" Kreider, Enoch "Eenie" Zimmerman, Ezra "Pumpkin" Martinez, and Evelyn "Sunshine" Weber. Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Gary and Joy Wood and siblings: Ronald L. Dunkle and Duane I. Dunkle.
     A Memorial Service will be held at Ithaca Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Ben Kreider officiating. 
    To our wife, mother, and Meemaw - you have left a hole in your family's hearts that cannot be filled and we will carry your memory with us until we see you again.
     Memorials may be made in her memory to Ithaca South Elementary School and sent to 710 N. Union, Ithaca, MI 48847. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.