Colleen Frances Hay (nee Rooney), 91, a lifelong resident of Riverside, died on Oct. 4, 2016.
Born on Feb. 9, 1925 to Frank and Jessie Rooney, she attended Riverside schools and graduated from Riverside Brookfield High School in 1942. She was a highly valued teacher’s aide who worked for 23 years in the special education department at Central School.
Ms. Hay was an involved parent in District 96 PTA, a Campfire Girl troop leader, Fort Nightly treasurer, and a member of the Riverside Junior Women’s Charity. Admired for her sharp bridge playing skills, she was also a gifted knitter and could knock out the Tribune crossword puzzle in under an hour.
She was the heart and soul of the ladies calling themselves the “Belles of RB,” a group of high school friends who met regularly for lunch until recently.
Ms. Hay is survived by her daughters, Pamela Schmaling and Lauren (Brian) Cody; her grandchildren, Matt (Rita) Schmaling, Katie (Vaughn) Allen, Bryan Schmaling, Michael (Savannah) Meksto, Colleen Cody and Grace Cody; and her great-grandchild, Esther Meksto.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon C. Hay, and her daughter, Meredith Kelly.
Services at Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park have been held. Memorial donations are appreciated to the ALS Society, 220 W. Huron St., Suite 4003, Chicago, Illinois, 60654.
