Alice M. Hayes
April 14, 1934 ~ December 11, 2023
Alice M. (Comeau) Hayes, 89, of Danvers, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 11, 2023.
The daughter of the late Francis and Alice (Pothier) Comeau, she was raised in Peabody and graduated from Salem High School at the top of her class. She married in 1955 and raised four children while living in Beverly.
Alice had a prolific working career while raising her family. She instilled her strong work ethic in all of her children, all the while keeping an immaculate, loving home. Her children were always her first priority and she was steadfastly committed to making sure they were loved, supported and encouraged.
Alice worked for many businesses and agencies during her long career – Sylvania in Salem, Catholic Charities of Peabody where she served as executive secretary to three directors; North Shore Community College in Danvers, The Trustees of Reservation in Beverly, Copyright Clearance Center in Danvers. Most notably, Alice served as Executive Secretary to former Mayor of Beverly, Peter Fortunato. And to her credit, she worked up until she was 79 years old as a retail associate at Special Thoughts in Danvers.
Beverly residents will remember her most as the face of the former Hayes Music Store in Beverly. She took such pride in making the store the place to shop in downtown Beverly and worked tirelessly to provide shoppers with a wonderful experience.
Alice was a prolific knitter and over the years has gifted her many creations to her loved ones, friends and charitable causes. She loved crossword puzzles, classic movies, her cat Rosie, a good meal and never missed a chance to have dessert!
Alice’s love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was immeasurable. She spoke so proudly of her family and relished in all of their accomplishments. She will be profoundly missed by all those that knew and loved her. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren affectionately called her Mimi, a title of which she was enormously proud. She was a wonderful mother and role model and leaves quite a legacy.
Alice is survived by her children, Eileen Davarich and her husband Craig of Candia, NH, Thomas Hayes and his wife Sharon of Beverly, William Hayes and his wife Mary of North Hampton, NH, Marianne Barker and her husband Richard of Danvers; her grandchildren, Kristen Davarich, Stephen Davarich and his wife Sophie, Lauren Connolly and her husband Steve, Gregory Hayes and his wife Megan, Kevin Hayes and his wife Taryn, Christopher Hayes and his wife Brittany, Michael Hayes and his wife Aimee, Brandon Hayes and his partner, Molly, Erin Kelleher and her husband Connor, Alison Barker and her partner Wanita Rooney; great grandchildren Gwen, Paige, Harper, Hailey, Soleil, Marley and Andi.
Alice is also survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn Comeau of Peabody, many nieces and nephews, her close friend Lawrence Call of Danvers and many good friends at the Tapley Building in Danvers. Alice was predeceased by her four brothers, Francis, Charles, Paul and Edward Comeau.
Alice’s family would like to express their profound gratitude to Care Dimensions and their staff for providing comfort to Alice and her children in her final days.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 10AM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Burial will follow in Annunciation Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Alice’s family will receive guests beginning at 9:30AM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St. Site B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. To share an expression of sympathy with Alice’s family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.
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In 1970 I was 13 and my father bought me a guitar at Hayes Music Store. It was a life changing moment for me. I still have the guitar and play it often. Despite 50 years I still recall that day interacting with Alice. My condolences to her family. Steve Schug