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age 91, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2022.

Carol was born in Gaylord, Michigan, on July 20, 1931, to Ozro and Marie Priest. She was the youngest of a loving, large family with sisters Mary, Anita, Shirley and brother Doug. The family moved to the Clinton/Britton/Macon area where she grew up.

During the summer, after a year studying music at EMU, she met Alan Hay in Beulah, MI, where he had purchased Crystal Lake Resort upon his return from WWII. Carol and Alan married the following year and the resort became their home for the first few years of marriage. That area of northern Michigan provided joy and retreat for the rest of her life.

Carol and Alan raised their four children in Detroit, Howell and Ann Arbor. They retired to a beautiful stone schoolhouse in Macon, MI, and created a home where the door was always open to welcome family and friends. Carol lived in this beloved home until March, 2022, when she moved to Silver Maples in Chelsea.

Carol’s greatest joys came from her love of family, friends, music and the creation of beautiful surroundings to welcome them in.

Carol was preceded in death by her cherished husband, Alan (2003), and her beloved sons David (1952), Brian (2021) and Kevin (2022). She is survived by her daughters, Beth Hay of Ann Arbor, and Anita Hay (Bill Ransom) of Ann Arbor; and her grandchildren, Javan Makhmali (Alana DeRiggi) and their children, Lucia and Leonard, of Ann Arbor; Taraneh Breisacher (Nicholas) and their children, Jacob and Mikenna, of Novi; Gus Hay of Ypsilanti; Flora Hay of San Francisco.

Beth and Anita are profoundly grateful for the care given to their mother by the staff of Senior Helpers and Silver Maples of Chelsea.

A memorial service was held at the United Church of Christ, 300 Tecumseh Rd, Clinton, MI, 49236, on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 2pm.  With our thanks to the Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, you may visit this page to leave remembrances.


You may use the form below to share a memory or leave a public message for Carol's family. Please allow 24 hours for us to review and post your comment. 

Comments  

#2 Paul Brahce 2022-11-10 20:28
The Hay household on Patricia Court in Ann Arbor was a second home when I was a teenager. Mrs. Hay (as I called her then) was a big warm presence, always welcoming, gracious, and generous. She was quick to invite me to stay for dinner or join family outings, and I truly felt myself to be a member of the family. We stayed in touch over the years, and it was always a treat to see Carol when I was visiting her daughter Beth in Ann Arbor. Carol had a kind heart, a curious mind, and a contagious laugh. She will be missed.
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#1 Dorothy Lenz 2022-11-10 18:48
I am particularly remembering my especially great times with the Hay family after the Hay residence became what had been Henry Ford’s schoolhouse for children of his employees. What a delightful place to live! What a delightful place to entertain – and how wonderfully the Hays would entertain!
When Carol moved to Silver Maples I was able to tell her what a great place it is, and how I had gone there often. Carol told me that she found Silver Maples was a wonderful place to be!
Covid may keep dear friends apart in life but not in wonderful memories. I have so many wonderful memories of Carol and Alan and their delightful family. Thank you, thank you, one and all.
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