Patricia V. Pat Hayes

Patricia “Pat” V. (Hensley) Hayes Pat was born September 14, 1938, to Gilbert and Vesta Hensley of Burrton, KS, as the eldest of four children. She grew up there and then earned a degree in Speech and Drama and a teaching degree at Wichita State University in 1960, where she was also a cheerleader in 1957. She taught Speech and Drama at Goddard High School from 1960-62 and then left to enter graduate school at the University of Kansas, again majoring in Drama, from 1962-64. Upon completion of her class work for that degree, she married Lance D. Hayes on September 26, 1964. She later finished her Masters thesis and received the degree from KU in 1968. Throughout her varied professional career she worked as an attendant in a laundromat, as a proofreader at Western Lithograph, as a teacher in Special Ed. at the Wichita Institute of Logopedics, as a line producer in filmmaking for Walterscheid Productions, and finally as Development Director and then Volunteer Coordinator at Public Radio, KMUW, also at Wichita State. That latter position she held for 38 years, until the time of her death, January 3, 2017. Her work at KMUW was her most treasured accomplishment, as she made so many friends, both within the station and throughout the Wichita community. Pat knew everyone! She was preceded in death by her parents and her youngest brother, Jim. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Lance; her brother, Bill Hensley (Marilyn) of Lenexa; her sister, Paula Hoskinson (Phil) of Burrton; her dearest friend and beloved cousin, Mildred Thach (Bill) of Burrton; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and last, but not least, her “other family” at KMUW. Her husband would like to offer a thank you to Dr. Stephen Hagan, Pulmonologist, and The Life Care Center of Wichita and many of its very kind and dedicated employees. They served Pat well. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday, January 6, 2017; Memorial Service will be at 11:00 A.M., SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2017, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in her name to KMUW-fm, Wichita State University, 121 N. Mead, Ste. 200, Wichita, KS 67202.