Obituary of Karen J. Hayes

Born Karen Joy Korneliusen on February 24, 1934 into the renowned Korneliusen family of Rochester, Karen was the second of eight children. She married into the equally famous Hayes clan and immediately left her mark as the stable, clear-headed family member of the bunch. As a youth she participated in all kinds of activities including basketball, baseball, dancing, and musical plays. She graduated from Monroe High School in 1953 and worked for Kodak and eventually Aetna insurance where she met her husband Edward. She continued her busy life with golf, bowling, ceramics, many card games, and an active social life. Karen was a gentle soul who had a very loving and warm personality. She was always in a good mood and passed on her kindness and positive attitude to anyone, and everyone, who crossed her path. She made wonderful friends everywhere and she loved them all, and was always excited to hear happy news from her family and friends. She didn't hold grudges and always saw the best in people. She will be remembered for her competitive spirit and love of all games. She loved sports, board games, cards, shuffleboard, and the list goes on. She took great pleasure in teaching others how to play and passed that spirit on to many. She was a voracious reader who loved mysteries, biographies, and historical fiction. She enjoyed a good joke and a laugh, even if it was at her expense. However, she was deathly afraid of bees, going too fast in any vehicle, mice, and getting her perm wet! She is survived by her two children, daughter Kathleen (Kate) Olson, son-in-law Karl and grandchildren Hayes and Beckett, son Andrew along with her daughter-in-law Eileen and grandchildren Hannah, Zetta, and Wyatt. She was predeceased by Edward and her parents, Evelyn Begg Korneliusen and Knute Otto Korneliusen, sister Barbara, and nieces Karen, Joy, Robin and Christmas. Also surviving are her siblings Gary (Nancy), Helene (Larry), Tom (Gail), Linda, Wally, and Jim (Suzanne), along with many loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the Elderwood Healthcare Team and their home care aides along with Rochester Regional Hospice Care. In lieu of flowers the family would ask donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Rochester and Finger Lakes at www.alz.org/rochesterny in Karen's name. A memorial church service in her honor will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 1 pm at St Paul of the Cross Church in Honeoye Falls with a lunch celebration of her life immediately following at Andrew's house at 65 Amann Road in Honeoye Falls.