Elizabeth Hollister Hayden

AIKEN, SC - Elizabeth Hollister Hayden, 97, of Aiken, SC, formerly of Bethesda, Md. soared into heaven and a  joyous reunion with beloved friends and family on Thanksgiving Sunday, November 25, 2018. Born November 4, 1921 in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., she was an extraordinary Mom to William Buford Hayden (m. Margaret or “Kit”), Katharine Hayden Williams (m. John), and Holly Hayden Woltz (m. Edward). She was all about family and was happiest when with her grandchildren: William Buford Hayden Jr. (m. Stacey), Matthew Wells Hayden (m. Lynne), Meegan Williams Devol (m. Carter), Lynsey Williams Kayser (m. Christian), Sara Sutton Woltz and her great-grandchildren:  Matthew Louis Rosenthal, Helaena Kathleen and Elizabeth McLean Hayden, Naomi Katharine and Bennett Christian Kayser, Hayden Robert and Lily Katharine Devol. She was lovingly known as “Goose” and Aunt Betts to her extended family and was the last of the Hollister family from Mount Vernon, N.Y. Her brother, William Joseph Hollister, and sister, Mary Frances Holliday, preceded her. Her ability to connect with young people with humor and joy for living endeared her to her wide-spread family and friends across this great country. She lived the principles of goodness, kindness and faith in God taught to her by her parents. The love of her life, Buford Marine Hayden Jr., preceded her on October 11, 1986 but he never left her. They were married by her father on August 21, 1943. She and Boo loved the busyness of family (immediate and related), reunions at Dartmouth College, antiquing in New England, and the great outdoors. His steadfast mid-West (born in Hutchinson, Kansas) demeanor was uplifted by her sparkling personality. Who can ever forget their humorous yearly Valentine Day letters spreading words of good cheer and encouragement? Although he died too soon from cancer, he continued to be an ever-present part in her heart. Her words, “Don’t be sad, be glad. I’m with Dad” is a comfort now to her family. She was a woman who felt that you could never do enough for others. Her notes and small gifts saying “Thank you” or “I’m thinking of you” were many and shared with countless people over many years. Her volunteer spirit and monetary support for numerous organizations (Bethesda Cares, Habitat for Humanity, Suburban Hospital, Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, American Cancer Society, STARBASE Victory) made a difference in many lives. She loved her church and the celebration of God. Her father, Dr. Joseph Hillman Hollister (m. Dora Katharine), was the minister of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church in Chevy Chase, Md. where she worshipped and married in her younger years. She was an active participant at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, Md. She has many memories of her friends and the glorious worship services and music at Bradley Hills. While here in Aiken, SC, she enjoyed the service and music at St. John’s Methodist Church and regularly attended the Sunday afternoon service at Cumberland Hills led by the kind deacons from Town Creek Baptist Church. With gratitude, we thank the staff at The Hills of Cumberland Village for being attentive and kind to her in these last years of her life. Friendships can be made late in life and many residents there became her friends but her close circle of friends, Lee Larison, Lon and Averill Courtney and Betty Hiers, were exceptional. The wonderful caregivers from DayBreak Adult Care Services, especially Mary Jackson, Crystal Williams and Kenya Bush, made her day-to-day living easier and happier. She never wanted to be a burden to anyone, and she never was. She was able to maintain her positivity until her last days spent with serenity because of Trinity Hospice. Fly like an eagle, Mom, and rejoice in the new chapter of living with your beloved Boo. You taught us well, and we will continue your legacies because you will always be in our hearts. We love you MORE. A celebration of her life will be will held 12:30 PM January 20, 2019 at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Md. Give your flowers to someone you love. Instead, the generosity of a donation to Bethesda Cares at 7728 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, Md. 20814 (or go online at bethesdacares.org and click on “Donate” ) in her memory would be greatly appreciated.SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801 (803)642-3456 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Elizabeth Hollister Hayden, please visit our flower store.