Carolyn Jenice Hays

Jenice was born on May 5, 1928, in Waco, Texas, the daughter of Gayle and Pearl (Maxey) Sutherland. She was born and grew up in a house owned by Baylor University, where her father worked.

She graduated from Waco High School and attended the Texas State College for Women, later transferring to Colorado State College of Education (now the University of Northern Colorado). It was there she met and married Zane Hays.

They moved to Sterling where Zane was employed by Northeastern Junior College. She was the first NJC Dorm Mother but primarily a mom and homemaker for her husband and four children. When her children began to leave home, she became an engraver at Garretson’s Sporting Goods in Sterling.

Jenice loved history and was always proud to be a Texan. As the granddaughter of original Texas Settlers and a relative of one of the slain Alamo defenders, she immersed herself in family and American History. She particularly enjoyed participating in Mountain Man Rendezvous Events with her son, Scott.

She showed the same strength of those Texas Settlers, enduring the premature death of her husband, son and 3 grandchildren; 3 cancer surgeries; and 12 years of Alzheimer’s, rarely complaining and often showing a sense of humor.

Jenice is survived by her loving family: Gail (Bill) LaForce of Greeley, Steve (Nancy) Hays of Eaton, Scott (Lisa) Hays of Fort Collins, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Hays of Brighton; Grandchildren Nathan LaForce, Joshua LaForce, Bethany LaForce, Richard Hays, Andrew Hays, Carolyn Hays Burke, Christen Hays Schumacher, Matthew Hays, Adam Hays, Hanna Hays, Zach Hays, and Kaley Hays; Great Grandchildren: Jefferson Burke, Zane LaForce, Alice LaForce, and Samuel Moore; her aunts, Martha Vaughn and Nell Maxey; brother-in-law Tom Trembath, and sister-in-law Betty Hays, plus many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Zane Hays; son, David Hays; beloved sister, Cynthia Trembath; and grandchildren Calli Hays, Lindsey Hays, and Adam Pogue.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at the Allnutt Macy Chapel, 702 13th Street, Greeley, CO.

Memorial Funds may be given to the French Hall Fund, in care of the Northeastern Junior College Foundation, 100 College Avenue, Sterling, CO 80751. Friends and family may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.