Dolores Diane (Dee) Hayes passed away at home on Sept. 28, 2008. She was born to Genevieve and Leonard Ladeaux in Spokane on April 7, 1929. The family set up residence in Kellogg, Idaho, but soon divorced.

Five years later, Genevieve married Louis Batinik. Dee adored her new father, who provided a nice home. A brother was soon born and the family flourished with Louis’ job at the Bunker Hill mine.

When Dee was eleven, tragedy struck. Louis was killed in a mine accident. This was a shock she never overcame. Her mom remarried and had a daughter. Dee was left to care for her young siblings.

At age 14, Dee struck out on her own, moving to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she took a job in a café as a cook and waitress. This was during World War II. She lived in an unheated room with no running water. Dee eventually left for a job in Moses Lake as a cook at the bus depot. Dee then moved to Seattle, where a social worker helped her and her mom get a job and get her siblings back.

Dee met Warren Lee Hayes in 1950 and they were married on Aug. 23, 1951. This was the beginning of her dream to be a mother and homemaker. She exceeded at both, bearing three daughters and two sons. After many moves with the Navy, Dee and Lee settled in Oak Harbor. Lee retired in 1968. Dee loved to dance, especially square dancing, which Lee and Dee did for 30 years.

Dee is survived by her husband of 57 years, Lee; by her daughters, Judy Pritchett and husband Larry, Linda Quistorf, and Le-Anne Henry and husband Dan; sons Warren Lee Hayes II and wife Shelley and Michael Hayes and wife Annie; and one sister, Marcia Stafford.

Dee is also survived by grandchildren: Todd Pritchett and wife Gena; Kimberley Whitehead and husband Ted; Warren Lee Hayes III and wife Melissa; Kim Quistorf and husband Justin; Elizabeth Crawford and husband Tom; Michelle Quistorf; Allyson, Julia, Amanda, Cody and Danielle Henry; Ben Chavez; Maison Sanchez and husband Aaron, and great grandchildren: Bennen Chavez, Allysen and Breanna Alverez, Travis and Brittany Pritchett and by Thomas Crawford V and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dee was preceded in death by her dad, Louis Batinik, mother Genevieve Batinik, brother Louis Batinik, Jr. and son-in-law, Michael Quistorf.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Burley Funeral Chapel with Chaplain M. Brad Yorton officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Dee’s name to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Skagit Hospice. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.