Gail Joyce Hayes

Gail continued her education in theology at Valparaiso University, where she aspired to become a deaconess in the Lutheran Church. Her later studies in accounting at Platte College served her well in her 16 years working for and managing Belt Super Market in St. Joseph.

In 1974, Gail married Edward G. Robinson and moved to Miami, Florida, where she attended and worked in various positions for Florida International University. She became licensed as a Florida real estate salesperson in 1976 and a real estate broker in 1979. Gail and Eddie moved to Port Charlotte, Florida, in 1979.

In 1982, Gail became the office manager and broker for Sorrentino Realty Corporation, a position she held for 12 years until the business was sold. It was at Sorrentino Realty that she first befriended Walter Hayes, who would become her husband many years later. While in Florida, Gail served as President of the local Realtor Association as well as District Vice President for the Florida Association of Realtors. She worked another year and a half in real estate in Punta Gorda, Florida, before her husband, Eddie, passed away.

Gail returned to St. Joseph, Missouri in 1996 to help care for her father. After his passing, Gail and her mother moved to Turlock, California, to be near her sister, Cheryl Harms, and her family. While in Turlock, Gail cared for her mother and worked in banking for many years.

Eventually, Gail made her way to Mesa, Arizona, where she fully embraced retirement, reunited with and married her beloved Walter in August 2000, after both had lost their spouses. They became members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona, and spent nine happy years together before Walt’s passing in 2019.

She enjoyed music, community theater, her beloved Schnauzers (Hansel and Gretel), and had a deep and abiding faith in the Lord.

Gail enjoyed many visits with her sister, Cheryl Harms (Bruce), Cheryl’s children, Timothy Harms (Rebecca) and Lisa MacKenzie, and their families including Joshua Harms, Emma Harms, Logan MacKenzie, and Ian MacKenzie; and also, Walter’s three daughters, Lisa Hayes (John Ashak), Beth Christensen (Steve), and Kim Berger (Dave) and their families, including four grandchildren, Jennifer Comeau, Casey Christensen, Andrew Hayes Berger, and Samantha Berger, all of whom she loved dearly.

She was predeceased by her husband, Eddie Robinson, her husband, Walter Hayes, and her sister, Karen Haenni.