Dr. Annie Respicio Hayes

Dr. Annie Respicio Hayes passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 27, 2025, at Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor, Florida. She was 93. A longtime resident of St. Mark Village in Palm Harbor, Annie was admired for her intelligence, independence, and warm spirit that brightened every room.

Annie was born on July 26, 1932, in Reina Mercedes, a small town in the province of Isabela in northern Luzon, Philippines. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul Hayes, her parents Manuel and Guadalupe; brothers Santiago Respicio (Lourdes), Restituto Respicio (Teresita), and Manuel Respicio Jr.; and sisters Jenny Respicio Gonzales and Cleopatra Respicio Bueno (Tony). She is survived by extended family and many dear friends.

Annie and her family endured great hardship during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, taking refuge for two years in the mountain forests. Her resilience and determination shaped a lifetime of learning and achievement. After the war, she attended a parochial boarding school in another province, where her discipline became legendary—often rising at 3 a.m. to study beneath a mosquito net by flashlight, returning to the dorm only after evening mass. An avid reader, she volunteered in the library to gain early access to books. “I loved pressure,” she once said. “I looked forward to taking exams.”

Annie earned a B.S. in Mathematics from St. Theresa’s College in Manila in 1954, followed by an M.A. from the University of the Philippines in 1960. From 1960–61, she was a United Nations fellow at the Demographic Training and Research Center in Bombay (India).

After both parents passed away, Annie supported her younger siblings through college by alternating her studies with salaried work. In 1962 she arrived in the United States with one suitcase, one hundred dollars, and one friend in Washington, D.C. who shared her apartment. Working full time while completing her doctorate at George Washington University, Annie exemplified persistence and courage. She has inspired many people through her academic and life achievements.

In 1973, she married Paul Hayes in Rockville, Maryland, becoming Annie R. Hayes. Annie built a distinguished career as Director of the Office of Planning and Research at the University of the District of Columbia, with a 20-month assignment to the Office of Naval Research.

Upon retiring in 1985, Annie and Paul settled in Tarpon Woods, Florida, where they managed nearly a dozen residential rental properties. She was also still a consultant and reviewer of research proposals for various organizations like NSF and Department of Education. Paul and Annie loved traveling - going all over Asia, Europe, and North America. Following Paul’s passing in 1993, Annie moved to St. Mark's Village, where she was known for her colorful wardrobe, radiant smile, and contagious laugh.

Even in her nineties, Annie was sharp, witty, and fully alive. She read The Wall Street Journal daily, devoured fashion magazines, and was always up for a game of mahjong. She loved classical music and ballroom dance, and for a decade she volunteered her tax expertise at the library — doing returns “for fun,” because, as she liked to say, “numbers don’t lie.” But perhaps Annie is best defined by her own words. “I have always believed that life is a series of equations — you balance what you give with what you get.” She lived by that philosophy, investing her time and heart generously in others. She also understood the importance of work–life balance, once saying, “I try to leave at least two weekends each month free to pursue something other than my work.” Yet through it all, she never lost her joy or humility. “Hard work transformed my life,” she reflected, “but faith and laughter kept it full.”

Annie will be remembered for her brilliance, fascinating stories, and zest for life. She had strong faith and loved good food, lively conversation, and the company of those she held dear.

Kind condolences may be offered in our "Add a Memory" section below.