Genevieve (Kowalski) Hayes

Genevieve (Kowalski) Hayes, 95 of Torrington, departed this life on Thursday September 15, 2022.  She was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 12, 1927 to Joseph and Jennie (Chaplen) Kowalski.  She grew up in Brooklyn and graduated from Girls High.  She moved to Torrington in 1951. 

 She is predeceased by Joseph, her loving husband of over 65 years.  She is also predeceased by her sister Ernestine Rubenstrunk and her daughter-in-law Dawn Hayes.  She is survived by her 5 children:  Theresa, of Mesa, AZ, James (Joanne) of Barkhamsted, Timothy, of Northfield, Kevin (Susan) and Jennifer of Torrington, 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. 

In her teens and early twenties, Genevieve was a competitive ballroom and popular dancer and would compete on an almost weekly basis and usually won.  It was her dance partner who introduced her to her husband.  She loved to dance and whenever there was music, Gen was dancing!  Another favorite of hers was the ocean.  She would be in the ocean up to her neck floating on the waves at every opportunity.  She enjoyed playing cards and various board and table games. She was an active member of the St. Francis Mothers Club and the St. Francis Womens Club.  She was also a Girl Scout Brownie leader for many years.  She and her husband were participants in various volunteer and civic projects.  Gen was employed at Jus'Teens and then K-Mart. 

A funeral memorial mass will be at St. Francis Church, Main St., On Sept. 27 at 11:00 AM.  Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery on South Main St.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Francis Church. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Genevieve (Kowalski) Hayes, please visit our floral store.