Frances Hay Obituary

Frances Marie Hay, age 97, passed away peacefully at the end of a well-lived life on Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Memphis, Tennessee. Marie was a true lady in every sense of the word, gracious and kind to all, and usually smiling and happy with her lot in life no matter her circumstance.

She was born on February 16, 1925, the only child of Frances Terry Gooch and Alexander Norman Gooch, Jr. Her father's job with Gulf Oil Company required the family to move frequently, giving Marie a life-long Interest in travel and adventure. She graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Mississippi, and attended Millsaps College before transferring and graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

She married Dr. Cyril Leon Hay on June 28, 1946; he preceded her in death in 1995. A devoted wife and mother, she is survived by their two sons, Patrick Norman Hay (Mollie) and Douglas Oliver Hay (Melissa), five grandchildren: Steven Hay, Lindsay Hay Davis, Catherine Hay Graves, Scott Hay, Rachel Hay Chapman, and 14 great-grandchildren.

An accomplished and talented artist, Marie painted in oil and watercolors, completing graduate work at the Memphis College of Art and Memphis State (University of Memphis), where she studied under Paul Penczner and Cecelia Lin. Her works were exhibited at the Woman's Exchange of Memphis and numerous local art shows. She was a member of Holy Communion Church, Les Passees, The Josephine Circle, and Memphis/Germantown Art League.

A visitation and funeral service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, on Friday, July 01, 2022, beginning at 1:30 pm.

Gifts in memory of Mrs. Hay may be offered to Holy Communion Church, The Trezevant Foundation, or Page Robbins Adult Day Center.