Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Hays

April 18, 1949 - February 21, 2022

Mrs. Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Hays departed this life on February 21, 2022 in her home in Sanford, FL. Elizabeth Hays, the daughter of the late John Henry Sadler and Florence Sadler, was born on April 18th, 1949 in Malden, MA. She attended Malden schools in her early years. She loved spending time with her family at their lake home and at her Aunt Agnus’ farm where she enjoyed chicken a la king and coffee cake. Music was a big part of her childhood. You could find her playing piano to accompany her dad as he sang opera or performing in the choir at Mystic Side Congregational church. While at Malden High School, Betty joined the glee club with her twin sister Ellen. As a young adult, she pursued secretary school and enjoyed the fast-paced life of working at a bank in the heart of Boston. Betty loved traveling and eventually moved to sunny Florida where she met and married her husband Gary Michael Hays. They were blessed with four girls: Cathy, Andrea, Jennifer and Rosie. As a stay-at-home mom, Betty built a lovely life where her girls could find a loving embrace and listening ear. She was also active in her church where every Sunday you could find her with a donut and coffee talking with different parishioners about their lives. She was an advocate for the forgotten, giving to endless charities, and was a frequent visitor to local nursing homes offering a radiant smile and most welcomed candy. Betty is preceded in death by her mother and father; brother, John Sadler; and sisters, Jane and twin sister, Ellen Sadler. She is survived by her husband Gary; daughters, Catherine Hays, Andrea MacDonald, Jennifer Thompson, and Rosie Hays; her seven grandchildren; and many, many friends. She will be most remembered for her devotion to long-time friends, her concern for the forgotten, and her unconditional love of family. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend her viewing at All Souls Historic Chapel, 800 Oak Avenue, Sanford, on Tuesday, March 1st, at 11am followed by her funeral service at noon.