Chermaine Lombard Hayes
November 5, 1931 - March 17, 2013
Obituary
Chermaine Lombard – Hayes died peacefully at home in the early morning of March 17, 2013. Chermaine was born to Louis and Lucille (Douroux) Lombard in Algiers, Louisiana November 5, 1931. She was the oldest of six (6) children. Her sisters Leonella (Lombard) Mischeaux and Mona Lombard. Her brothers Randall Lombard (preceded in death), Lawrence Lombard (preceded in death) and Darrell Lombard. At the age of 13 her parents moved the family to Bremerton, Washington and a few years later into Seattle as her parents looked for employment opportunities. Chermaine graduated from Holy Names Academy High School and went to Seattle University. While at Seattle University she met the love of her life John Frederick Hayes. They married on August 16, 1952 and recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary.
Chermaine retired from the City of Seattle Municipal Courts after 20 years of Service. She spent a majority of the time as a clerk/bailiff for Judge Ron Mamiya. Before that she worked for Post Office, Boeing and a shelter for young girls. Her funniest moments came as a bailiff when she would help individuals, about to go before the judge, make a good appearance. She would tell them that they better pull their pants up, tuck their shirt in, take their hat off or turn off their music before going inside the courtroom. She would tell the person that this would be a real good time to try and make a good impression. They would often look down at her and smile. As she look at them and let them know she cared.
Chermaine loved her family, community and church. She was serious about maintaining traditions she grew up with. They were instilled in her family and supported by the friends she had. There were traditions about the food we would eat, songs we would sing, the community involvement we had and love for our neighbors no matter who they were. Like her mother, Chermaine advocated for racial harmony. She was a member of Saint Peter Claver Interracial Center, Black Catholic Lay Caucus, NAACP and the St. Martin de Porres Guild. She advocated for the recruitment of black priests, the canonization of black saints and scholarships for black students to attend parochial schools. In the early 70’s Chermaine pulled her talented mother, brothers, kids and church friends together and started the Immaculate Conception Gospel Choir. A first of its kind in the Catholic Church. Like most of the things in her life she did, this wasn’t without controversy. With the assistance of a progressive Archbishop and church pastor the music remained.
If you knew Chermaine you knew she loved life. She could play every song requested on the piano or the guitar with the four or five cords she knew. She loved singing and dancing to Zydeco music because it reminded her so much of New Orleans. She loved her New Orleans cultural heritage and would serve some of the best Creole dishes for dinner. One thing she loved the most was dancing. She danced to everything, all kinds of music. And she loved the Electric Slide. It didn’t make a difference what style of music it was (country, rock, R & B) it was Electric Slide time.
Chermaine loved and cherished her family. Her husband of 60 years John F. Hayes Sr. is someone who was always by her side. Her heart was in raising her seven children with her husband. Her children John (Ricky) F. Hayes Jr., Gordon B. Hayes, Catherine (Hayes) Chastang, Terence B. Hayes, Gloria A. Hayes (preceded in death), Thomas C. Hayes and Jason R. Hayes brought her joy, support, love and its share of challenges. There was never a dull moment. It was an adventure and that’s how she like to live her life.
We are sorry for your loss. She was a fun lady and she will be missed.
We are sorry for your loss. She’s at peace now. We love u guys.
Jen Davis and Scott Davis
Aunt Chermaine was a Super Mom to all of us..Her strong will and determination pushed us to succeed in a world of indifference. And like my Mom Eleanor,dad Delbert Allen and Uncle Jack they set the stage of equality .. All whom she has joined will be truly missed and loved forever. With love hugs and much prayers.
Angela, Maurice Brown (Eleanor Allen side) and family
Chermaine Lombard Hayes was so very special to me. Seems to me she was always ready and willing to do angel duties. It is a blessing to me to have witnessed her love of people in many situation. As a blessed former member of her choir at Immaculate Conception I shall always treasure our singing for the LORD in around churches near and far from home.
Please accept my deep and sincere sympathy now and always.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John & family, I was so sad to hear of the passing of your wife, Chermaine. I want to take this time to express mine and my family’s sincere condolences to you and all of your family. Remember that Chermaine will forever live in all of your hearts and in the lives of all the people who were fortunate enough to have met her. I pray that God will continue to heal and comfort you all during this time. May He bless and keep you all. With love….Mary
God bless u guys, we love u all..
Ross, Debbie, Hallie, Gabriel & Immanuel Walsh
Mrs. Hayes you made a profound impact on my life from the moment I met you in Maple Leaf. You were my mother from up the block when I came at 5 years old to play with Jason. You are the matriarch of a fabulous family.
God bless you and the Hayes!
Dear Jason and Family-
Our sincere condolences – our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless,
Cleo and Harry
Our hearts and prayers are with you.
I am extremely sorry for your loss. Aunt Charmaine will always be remembered for her love for family and people no matter who they were .
Take care.
Uncle Johnny & Family,
Our Love, Thoughts & Prayers are with now and in
the future during your time of sorrow.
Dolores (The Helen Hayes Clay Family)
Dear Cathy, RIcky & family,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family in the loss of your mother. Your mother sounds so wonderful. I am sorry I never met her, but she did have a great daughter in you, Cathy! And I remember the kindness Ricky showed in willing to be my escort to a barn dance at Holy Names eons ago!! That kind of generosity, kindness and goodness can only be the result of wonderful parenting….Praying you will all have peace, comfort and His sufficient arms of grace to surround you all.
Hugs,
Teresa
My dad talked so much about his cousin Chermaine. I told mom and Kim about the famliy loss.
Condolences to the family of beautiful woman who has passed. But our memories of her live on forever in our hearts and thoughts. She was a great friend of mine who will be greatly missed.
I will always remember Mrs. Chermaine Hayes. She was a down-to-earth angel. She naturally illuminated a loving and caring spirit; the love and caring that comes from your most favorite aunt. I remember seeing her dance to Zydeco in the basement of Immaculate.
Hayes family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
God bless.
To the Hayes family,
I need not tell you that Charmaine is directing a choir in her new home above. I remember the time when she had a few of us friends over to her home where she had her first choir rehearsal with us. I truly believe Charmaine was forming a Municipal Court Choir.
At lunch time or whenever we had a break Charmaine and I would meet in the break room to rehearse, Amazing Grace and/or Swing low Sweet Chariot. She would direct while I sing. If I hit a wrong note, I had to start all over again! Charmaine was very encouraging; if you thought you couldn’t sing she had you believing you could. I believe the phrase; “YES I CAN”, was started by Charmaine.
Charmaine is now in her new home directing the choir while her mother is playing the piano. Pleasant memories of Charmaine will always be in my heart.
Theresa
I remember how we almost burned the house down on S. Naches Avenue, covering the light with some clothing. Chermaine wasn’t overly pleased with us kids, but I remember she took it in stride and wasn’t too upset. I remember the picnics and sitting in a circle and singing old songs she taught us.
I am sorry for your loss and know that I will remember her for the rest of my days; for that is where immortality resides, in our hearts and minds as we remember the lives of those that we love.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Hayes.