Betty Sue Hay

She was predeceased by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Henry Howard of Dallas, TX and her beloved cousin Norma Jo Worley of Sulphur Springs, TX.

She is survived by her husband Don Hay of Raleigh, NC, her sister-in-law Mary Jeanne Cooke of Hastings, NE, daughters Cathy Hay Gillespie (Ed) of Alexandria, VA and Susan Hay Rather (Hank) of Wake Forest, NC and grandchildren John Gillespie of Los Angeles, CA; Carrie Gillespie of Alexandria, VA; Andrew Rather (Cassie Sun) of Cary, NC and Mollie Gillespie of Los Angeles, CA.

Betty was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and was graduated from Adamson High School. She attended North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, and was a graduate of Texas Tech University, where she first met the love of her life, Don Hay. They married in 1959 in Dallas.

Betty was first and foremost a devoted wife and loving mother of her two daughters, actively involved in their lives. She was generous with her time, volunteering at the school cafeteria, serving as a Girl Scout cookie mom, and as a beloved “band parent”— always ready with a missing uniform piece for any band student who may have forgotten something at home. She made sure her home was fully stocked with teenage snacks, a working juke box and pool table, and that it was open at all times to her daughters’ friends.

When Cathy and Susan had children of their own, Betty became a doting grandmother (“Granny B”) of John, Carrie, Andy and Mollie. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Betty worked for many years as an executive secretary, as a real estate agent with Artha Garza Relators, and culminated her career from 1979-1998 as secretary to the administrator of St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas, Texas where she served under several St. Paul Administrators, including Sister Louise Scheessele, Sister Damian Wetzel and Mr. Anthony Bunker.

A woman of faith, Betty served as an elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas and as President of the Westminster Presbyterian Women’s group. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Jane Douglas Chapter, volunteering in their school outreach program.

Family and friends are invited to Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, Saturday, December 18 at 10:30am, 7501 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27612.

The family is requesting contributions in lieu of flowers, to:

The Alzheimer’s Foundation, Transitions Life Care Hospice, Constituting America or your favorite charity.