Monica Hayes (Thornton)

Monica Hayes (Thornton) passed away on October 3, 2013 in Seattle, WA surrounded by her loved ones after a quick and aggressive cancer that took her life. Born on March 2, 1947 to Ed and Betty Thornton she grew up in Richland where she attended Christ the King and Columbia High Schools. She retired in July 2013 after more than a 30-year civil service career as an Administrative Specialist in Japan, California and most recently the Veterans Administration in Seattle, WA.

Monica was special to all and she had a kind and bright spirit, a sassy sense of humor, lots of laughter and encouragement and a great big heart, volunteering her time and gifts to those in need. She loved all the arts but Monica especially loved the theater. A thespian at heart, she loved to act and she participated in many community theater productions in the Oakland, CA and Seattle areas and served on the Board of Directors of the Renton Civic Theater.

Monica is survived by her sister Ellen Thornton, nephew Matthew Thornton and husband Mike Bishop and family members Lilly, Keith, Mike, Jim, Brandon, Kevin, Kyle, Taylor, and Justin. Loved ones who preceded Monica in death were her Mother and Father, sister Carol Thornton and Baby Boy Cummings.

She was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland and a memorial service will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Renton WA on Friday, November 22 at noon. Her family requests in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to either the American Diabetes Association or the Cancer Society.

There was a graveside inurnment on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 1:OOpm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.