Margaret Hayden

Margaret Lavon Peak Hayden, born August 18, 1924, died peacefully September 20, 2013, at 3:18 a.m. at St Francis Catholic Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. Margaret was 89 years old. She was the eldest daughter of nine children of James Bartholemew and Edna Ryan Peak of Crawford County and graduated from St Mary’s High School in 1942 in Pittsburg, Kansas, with honors. After graduation, Margaret worked for the phone company in Pittsburg as a switchboard operator located in an upper floor of the Besse Hotel. In 1945 during WW II, Margaret married Bernard (Bernie) Hayden also of Crawford County, Kansas, who served in the Navy on the USS Monrovia. Following the war, Bernie was employed by Bell Telephone. Bernie, with Margaret at his side, traveled western Kansas repairing the telephone line system that had deteriorated during the war years. Margaret and Bernie made their home in Topeka, Kansas, celebrating family life at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Surviving are Margaret’s sons: Dean Hayden, his wife Mary and their children: Ross Hayden of Topeka; Phil Hayden and his wife Lelia of Topeka; Mary Elizabeth, her husband Alan Durham and their son Hayden of Olathe; Dana Hayden of Topeka. She is survived by two sisters, Angie Patterson, and Joan and her husband Henry McGeorge; and a brother, Leo Peak and his wife, Billie, all of Crawford County, Kansas. Margaret is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Hayden; a daughter, Sheryl, who died at birth; a son, Kelly; three brothers, Bill, Joe, and Pat Peak; two sisters, Eula Ann Peak and Trudy Lewis; and her parents, Jim and Edna Peak. Margaret devoted her life in love and service to her family and was beloved by them. Her loss will be great, but her love of family and children will endure in her offspring and grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1750 SW Stone Ave., Topeka, KS 66604, on Tuesday at 9 a.m. with a parish rosary being prayed at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Topeka. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to St. Francis Health Center Foundation of Topeka,sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd., Topeka KS 66614.

Margaret Hayden

August 18, 1924 - September 24, 2013