Sallie Jo Hayes, 68, of Deerfield, Illinois, died May 1, 2015, in Highland Park.

She was born in 1946 and raised in San Antonio, Texas, as one of two children. Mrs. Hayes graduated in 1964 from Highland High School. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University. Mrs. Hayes was a long time teacher in Lake Zurich. She embarked on a nearly three-decade career as an educator, much of it spent in the elementary schools of Community District 95, where she taught first-, third- and fifth-grades. Firm with students when she had to be, yet equally upbeat, Mrs. Hayes began teaching in the early 1970’s according to the district. She always put children first and was active in the LZEA.

She is survived by a daughter, Lynnette C. Hayes-Thomsen and her husband James J. Thomsen of Grayslake Illinois; a son, Dennis R. Hayes of Adams, Minnesota; and grandchildren: Robert S.A. Thomsen, Bradain J.I. Thomsen, Savannah A.G. Thomsen of Grayslake, Illinois, Eric A. Vogel, Christopher R. Vogel, and Breanne M. Vogel of Minnesota; and her brother Howard R. Shipman of San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Hayes’s name to a memorial education fund for her six grandchildren at Community Trust Credit Union, Grayslake, Illinois. There will be a memorial open house at Hackneys in Lake Zurich on June 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. Please email denhayes23@gmail.com or lynnehayesthomsen@yahoo.com for more information.