Bonnie Kay Hayes

Bonnie Kay Hayes, 78, of Pecatonica, Illinois passed away Monday November 8, 2021 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC following cardiac surgery.  She was born on November 2, 1943 at KSB Hospital in Dixon, IL to Clyde E. Wells and Delta I. (Fitts) Wells of rural Harmon, IL. She attended Merchant School (a one-room schoolhouse) and Harmon Grade Schools, and Amboy High and Pecatonica High Schools, graduating in 1961.  

She was united in marriage to Harold L. Hayes on Sept 2, 1961 in the Pecatonica United Methodist Church, and they celebrated 60 years together. They were blessed with five children.  

Bonnie was employed for 19+ years at Rockford Clinic, continued her career at Enduracare and then at Rockford OrthoIllinois for many more years.  As a medical secretary and front desk representative for the physical therapy and orthopedic departments, Bonnie’s friendliness, welcoming smile, and efficiency were well known by colleagues and visitors alike, many of whom would wait extra time so they could have Bonnie assist them. She enjoyed her work and the patients she served and continued working full-time until reluctantly retiring on April 1, 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Bonnie Kay loved spending time with her family, friends, and granddogs. She was blessed with a contagious laugh, loving manner, spunk, fortitude, and grace, was also known for her intelligence, great memory, wit, and extensive vocabulary. She loved playing piano, card games, reading, cooking, listening to music, and enjoying nature. A longtime member of the Pecatonica UMC, she sang for many years in the choir and cantatas. She enjoyed travelling the United States, first as an intrepid camper, and in later years appreciated the convenience of flying and tour buses. Her last getaway was to her daughter’s home in Asheville, North Carolina, where she reveled in the beauty of the mountains while surrounded by family. 

She is survived by her husband, Harold; daughters, Jodi Norman, Jeriann Hayes, Juli (Brian) Colloton and Jani (Everett) Kitts; grandsons John Blake, Thomas Colloton and granddaughter  Jessica Colloton; sister Sandra Hayes; nephews David and Ryan (Amanda) Hayes, and Jim (Peggy) Belles, and several cousins.  She is predeceased by her parents, son, Jason Hayes, son-in-law, Richard Norman, and brother-in-law, Ernest Hayes Jr.  

She was beloved by her family and friends, neighbors, colleagues, and patients she cared for, and will remain in our hearts forever.

There are no services planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, ℅ Jani Kitts, 17 Goldview Drive, Asheville NC 28804, or to the charity of your choice.  

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