Hazel Jean Christoph Bayley

Hazel   ""Sally"" Jean Christoph Bayley, age 91, died peacefully on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at HospiceCare in Fitchburg.   She was born in Milwaukee October 22, 1918, the daughter of Roy J. Chritoph and Mabel August Hartwig Christoph.   She was a graduate of Milwaukee West High School in 1936, and of the Milwaukee State Teacher's College (now the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) in 1940.   She gained from her father beautiful penmanship and a strong work ethic, and from her mother a deep concern for the socially marginalized.   She taught lip reading and speech to deaf and hard of hearing students at Lapham Schools of Madison.   On June 30, 1944 she was married to Ray W.G. Bayley.   Hazel taught school for 23 years,   17 of those in the Sauk Prairie school system.                    
               She had two children Jean Rae Sniff and John Calvin Bayley.   Many of her activities centered on their children including being President of PTA, Girl Scout leader, and Cub Scout den mother.   She was charter president of the Sauk Prairie branch of the American Association of University Women, a co-chairman of bloodmobile drives, life member of the Friends of Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, board member of the Colombia County Humane Society, elder of the Presbyterian Church and a member of a Synod of Wisconsin Committee, a participant in United Church Women, and was a member of several humane and historical societies.   A devoted citizen and strong Democrat she worked at polls and voted by absentee ballot in 2010 September's primary election.   Quite appropriately, she was a member of the Optimist Club.                                                                                          
                       Before their  retirement she and her husband bought and operated for twenty years a small resort on Lake Wisconsin.   In 2000 Hazel and Ray moved to Madison to be near their children, and in 2007 moved to Oakwood Village West.   Despite her many activities throughout her life, Hazel suffered numerous ailments, including cancer and two heart attacks.   In recent years her health has deteriorated markedly.   She still maintained a sharp sense of humor managing clever one liners even in her last days in the HospiceCare Center.   Following a fall she died peacefully six days later on September 18, 2010.   Her quiet and strong Christian faith supported her in her long active productive life.                  
                         Hazel is survived by her husband, Ray; her daughter Jean (James) Sniff, Verona; her son John (Eva Jackson), Madison; her granddaughter   JoAnna (Paul) O'Connor, FL; grandsons Joshua (Christy) Gabrielson of CO, Pacal of Madison and step-grandson Brendan (Michelle) Sniff of Milwaukee and two great-grandchildren, Mali Rae O'Connor, and Carter Brandan Smith; nieces Diane Christoph and Susan (Jack) Thiel and nephews Bruce (Jo Anne) and Doug (Laura) Christoph; William (Karol) Bayley, and great nieces and nephews.   Hazel was predeceased by her parents and by her brother Roy J. Christoph.                    
                             If   Hazel ""Sally"" were here today she would want to say thank you to all her wonderful friends and family for the laughter through the years.   The family thanks the staff and volunteers at HospiceCare Center for their compassionate care.                   
                          A memorial service for Hazel Bayley will be held at 5pm Saturday, October 23, 2010, at DALE HEIGHTS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 5501 University Ave., Madison, WI, followed by dinner.   Hazel's family will spread her ashes privately.