Marilyn Hayward

Marilyn J. (O’Neil) Hayward, 90, of Portland Oregon, formerly of Belchertown, MA., passed away peacefully on December 29, 2014. She was born in Ballston Spa, NY on February 19, 1924 to Eathel (Siemer) and Michael O’Neil. She earned her teaching degree at Oneonta College (now SUNY - Oneonta) and was a long time teacher in the Belchertown schools, spending the majority of her years there as lead teacher at Franklin School in south Belchertown.

In 1946 she married Herbert W. Hayward after his return from service in the US Navy in World War II. Herb & Marilyn and their children moved to Belchertown in 1958, where she was a member of St Francis Church and they lived there until 1994 when they moved to Portland, OR. Herb and Marilyn shared a wonderful married life and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. She is survived by her daughter Susan (Dave) Auclair of Dubois, WY, and her son Michael (Elizabeth) Hayward, and granddaughters Christian (Alan), Mira, and Emma. She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert in 2002 and grandson David J Auclair in 1991.

It was  with Marilyn’s encouragement that the Schott Scholarship be started at Belchertown High School in memory of her long-time friend and co-teacher Caroline Schott. A new scholarship, The O’Neil Scholarship, will begin at her alma mater.

There will be no services and burial will be in South Cemetery at a later time.