Helen Hayes

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Helen Louise (Collie) Hayes, age 69, of Ithaca, MI.  She passed away on October 15, 2021 with her children at her side at the Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Alma, MI.  She rests in the promise of the soon return of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Helen was born in Blytheville, AR to Betty Faye (Bennett) (Collie) Rich and Corban Ray Collie on October 20, 1951.  She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1969.  She married Terry Hayes on December 27, 1969 at the Church of God in Ithaca, MI and always felt very blessed to be part of the Hayes family.  She worked as a dental hygienist and medical receptionist at Ithaca Family Practice.  Helen operated the Red Wagon Daycare out of their home in Ithaca, MI for about 15 years which touched many lives.  She was baptized in 1975 at the Ithaca Seventh-day Adventist Church and dedicated many years to helping the church and school.

Her greatest treasures were her three children and nine grandchildren whom she fiercely loved and cherished supporting their many passions. We will always remember her signing "I love you" goodbyes and her phrase "you are such a treasure". The Lord blessed her with so many gifts and the ones we will miss the most are her many daily phone calls, her ability to remember people, dates and relationships, and her unconditional love which was felt by so many.

Helen is survived by her husband of 51 years Terry Hayes; children: Conrad (Sherry) Hayes of Ithaca, MI, Ryan (Suzi) Hayes of Berrien Springs, MI, and Shannon (Bill) Brown of Alma, MI; grandchildren: Savana and Aubriel Hayes; Carter, Christiana, and Cadance Hayes; Laurel, Michael, Izabelle Hrabal and Olivia Brown; stepmother, Rita Collie (Bob Rippe); brother David Collie.  Helen is preceded in death by her mother Betty Faye Collie Rich; father Corban Ray Collie; sister Rebecca Collie; stepsister Deserie Fendt.

We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of 2 West at the Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Alma, MI.  We also wish to thank the many friends and family who prayed for her during this time.

We mourn her loss, but our hearts are filled with gratitude for the blessings of her life and endless love for her family. We look forward to seeing her again in Heaven.  In following Helen’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private celebration of life service will be planned at a later date.  Memorials may be made to the Ithaca Seventh Day Adventist Church School. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.