Mary Elizabeth Hayden
Obituary
On Sunday, November 4, 2018, Mary Elizabeth Hayden, loving wife and mother of one daughter, passed away at the age of 99. Mary was born on February 7, 1919, near Sigourney, Iowa to Ray and Zella (Forney) Richardson.
She received her teaching certificate from UCLA in 1943. After teaching kindergarten and first grade for 38 years in California, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Oklahoma, she retired from the Jenks Public School System in 1981. She greatly enjoyed listening to children read and never quite stopped teaching.
In 1951, she married the love of her life, Roy Edmund Hayden. Sixty-seven years later, Mary still found her anchor in him. She and Roy raised one daughter, Helen (Hayden) Scott.
Mary was a devoted wife and mother. She served God with her whole heart. She told everyone she met of her love for Him and His love for them. Mary frequently commented that she was fulfilled in knowing that all her family and grandchildren knew and loved God. Her house was always open to entertain friends and family. Quick with a joke and not one to take life too seriously, Mary was often singing and laughing. She would say, “Why don’t you sit and visit awhile?”
Mary was president of The Gideons International’s Oklahoma Auxiliary for three years. She accompanied her husband on numerous trips to Europe, the Middle East, and Korea. She also loved music. She was choir director for the Church of the Brethren in Indiana for three years and sang with her church choir in Tulsa for many years.
Mary was preceded in death by her step-father, Guy Fosdick, her mother, Zella, her brother, Don, and her sister, Helen. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Roy E. Hayden; a daughter, Helen Scott of St. Louis, MO; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, at The Assembly in Broken Arrow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to The Gideons International.
Events
Tributes & Memories
I remember being invited by Roy and Mary Hayden to their home on several occasions. Mary was the ideal hostess, preparing their home and food in advance, so there was never any last minute rush to get things ready. She would be in the living room ready to make each one of us feel welcome, making make sure we all felt included, always smiling and offering encouraging words of affirmation. When we attended the same departmental events, I loved to seek her out and sit beside her as I enjoyed our quiet conversations. She enjoyed listening to what others had to say, and rarely drew attention to herself, as her gift was in drawing out others and encouraging them. When the Haydens moved to England and then to California, I always missed her quiet presence at the Theology Christmas parties and get-togethers. I miss her to this day. God bless our friend and mentor Roy Hayden and bring him great joy even though his beloved wife is no longer with us in body. She is definitely still with us in spirit, and we look forward to that glorious day when we will meet again on Heaven's golden shore.
Sally Jo Shelton
Farewell Mary. We met in Brentwood in Essex near London UK, when I enrolled as an undergraduate on an ORU degree programme taught by Dr Roy Hayden. Mary was always seen around Roy during classes, church service and other occasion. As an African student Mary was the first to introduce me to grilled apples. She would always smile and welcome me to her side whenever we met. May her lovely soul rest in peace. Dr Smith Tettey
Smith Tettey
Uncle Roy, Helen and family, I’m sorry for your loss. Aunt Mary was such a kind and sweet lady and I know she will be missed by everyone. But praise the Lord, she is with Him now. Love to all, Terry
Terry Smith
I have known Mary since August 1976. I became acquainted with her when I was a student in her husband's Hebrew class. They made their home available to ORU students all the time. Her smile and gentle voice made all who entered the home welcome. Over the years we have broken bread and attended many of the same functions. I counted it a privilege to call her my friend. She will be missed, but I am comforted to know we will see each other again.
James Tollett