Lois Ann Hayden

Lois Ann Scharpenberg was born in Bakersfield, CA, the second child of Charles and Lola Holloway Scharpenberg. Graduating in 1945 from Bakersfield High School, she attended Stephens College in Missouri for 2 years. She then transferred to the University of Redlands, where she was a member of Alpha Theta Phi sorority, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1949. It was there that she met her husband, Dennis Hayden. They married in 1950 and shared 72 years together until his passing in 2022.

Lois is survived by her children: Mark Hayden (Nadja), Ann Jessup, Jean Harrison (Jim), and Nancy McGee (Rodney); and nine grandchildren: Christopher, Kimberly, Christina, Michael, Julie, Kristen, Andrew, Brett, and Brooke.

Lois dedicated her life to loving and raising her family. She was active in the First Baptist Church of Santa Ana, PTA at Wilson Elementary School, and was a much-loved Girl Scout Leader. Scout trips to Catalina, camping, canoeing, and California heritage trips to Sacramento made special memories for all the girls. Her love of nature and the outdoors, especially the mountains, was passed on to her children and grandchildren whose lives she was very involved in. She loved annual trips to Baja and June Lake with her family. A favorite memory for all was a family cruise to Alaska. Lois also enjoyed traveling to many other destinations with her dearest friends. She was very talented in doing needlepoint and counted cross-stitch, creating beautiful landscapes, Christmas stockings for the grandkids, and stitched ornaments for family members each year.

Lois was humble, selfless, hardworking, kind, and witty. She taught her family how to age with grace and good humor.

She also loved and was loved by her caregivers, Cora, Snooky, and Rose.

May her love and legacy live on through the many lives she touched.

Private family services will be held.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army, Disabled Veterans of America, or your favorite charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared here for the Hayden family.