Brewer - Ellen Margaret (Thompson) Hayes passed away Nov. 7, 2018. She was born in Brewer, July 8, 1926, to Letty M. (Wilson) and Arthur C. Thompson.
Ellen attended Page School and graduated from Brewer High School in the class of 1944. She was active in public speaking, music programs, and doing solo work at many functions. An outgoing person, she had a wide circle of friends many of whom remained close throughout her life. At an early age she became a covenant member of the First Congregational Church and while in high school joined the adult choir and sang there for many years.
Following high school graduation, Ellen attended Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts, graduating in 1946 with a degree in medical secretarial science. She then returned to Brewer, where she was employed for several years in medical field with Dr. Joseph Memmelaar in Bangor.
During high school, Ellen met and fell in love with Bill Hayes, who was also smitten. They had many similar pursuits and after Bill's college graduation, they were joined in marriage by then Rev. Basil C. Gleason at the First Congregational Church on August 15, 1947. In 1950, their union was blessed by the birth of their beloved daughter, Margaret Ellen "Peggy."
Church activities, school functions, membership in the N S D A R, Patawa Club, Homemakers Club, Brewer Garden and Bird Club, Brewer Historical Society were important commitments in her life.
The family cottage at Holbrook Pond in Holden was a special location for nearly 40 years for friends and family. The cottage was owned and built jointly by Bill & Ellen, and sister, Jean and brother-in-law, Bud Lyford.
Ellen held offices in D A R, Garden Club and Homemakers and her active participation throughout the years required much time and devotion.
In 1962, Ellen, Bill, Peggy and Ellen's beloved mother, Letty, moved to their present home on Parkway North in Brewer.
On July 22, 2017, Ellen lost her beloved sweetheart of almost 70 years of marriage. Today, they are joined again. She is survived by their daughter, Margaret Legasse and son-in-law, Mike; grandsons, Derek and wife, Robin, and Jeremy and wife, Angela, great-grandchildren, Abbey, Christopher, Sydney, Brynn and Ellie; her brother-in-law, George and wife, Dorothy, and children, Linda and Catherine; sister, Jean Lyford and children, Susan and Peter; and cousin, Harriet Simon.
A service to celebrate her life will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Brewer.