Florence Louise Hays

In His perfect timing God called our mother, Florence Grassmeyer Hays, home to heaven on March 15, 2019. She was born in Bellingham, Washington on February 7, 1925 to John and Ida Grassmeyer, and lived most of her life in Bellingham. As a child she attended St John's Lutheran Church.

In 1942, she married the love of her life, Robin Hays and they began their adventure together, which would go on for 60 years until Dad's death on April 24, 2003.

Mom attended schools in Bellingham (Bellingham High Class of 1942), and later Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle. She was first a daughter of the Most High God, (she had made the decision to fully follow Jesus Christ as a teenager at Young Life Club in Bellingham), then a wife, and a mom. She took those roles very seriously. She volunteered much time in the churches she attended as an adult (North Seattle Alliance, Bellingham Christian & Missionary Alliance, and Northwest Baptist in Bellingham).

Mom and Dad made lots of music together as they sang duets and in the choir; she often accompanied him on the piano as he played the musical saw. She was active in PTA and Bellingham Christian Women's Club.

To Robin and Florence were born three children who survive her: Carol Sanford of Bozeman, MT, John Hays of Poulsbo, WA (Mary), and James Hays of Olympia, WA (Marcie). We are forever grateful that they raised us in a Christian home where we were taught by example to love God, His Word, and His church.

Mom and Dad were blessed with eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Grandchildren are: Stephen Sanford (Ashley), Leslie Horton, (Kevin) and Laura Sanford; Megan Schwartz (Dan), Erin McCoy (Jake) and Michael Hays; Lauren Hays and John Michael Hays (Mallori). Great grandchildren are Parker and Maggie Sanford, Jackson and Lyla Horton, Hannah and Phoebe Schwartz, and Otto and Ada Jane McCoy. These grandchildren and great grandchildren brought pride and pleasure to "Flo the Great", the title Mom chose for herself!

We will miss Mom, but are so thrilled to know she is face to face with Christ her Savior! No more wheelchair, no more dementia! Her longstanding faith is now sight!

Mom's parents and two sisters, Josephine Remington and Doris Heathers, as well as Mom's granddaughter Laura Sanford preceded her in death.

We wish to thank the caregivers at Cristwood Nursing Home in Shoreline, WA for the compassionate care given to Mom in her last years.

A memorial service will be held at Northwest Baptist Church, 3545 Northwest Avenue in Bellingham on April 6 at 2:00 pm.

Inurnment in Veterans Plaza Columbarium of Bayview Cemetery, Bellingham.

Arrangements entrusted to The Stone Chapel Poulsbo Mortuary.