Mrs. Ayres was born August 25, 1920 in Melzow (Uckermark) Germany. She attended schools in Berlin, studying voice and graduated with a degree in opera. She was an opera singer in Germany until her marriage to Joy Willis Ayres on August 6, 1960 in Berlin, Germany.
In 1961 she came to the United States with her husband and resided in Centralia, WA, moving to Olympia in 1970 and to Lacey in 2004.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church, Olympia Rose Society and American Rose Society.
Surviving Mrs. Ayres are her step-daughter Vicki J. Ayres of Livingston, Montana; and step-grandchild Cindy L. Ayres. Also surviving are her nephews Michael, Peter and Patrick Petersen. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, sister, step-son and step-grandson.