Gretchen Lee Hayes, 34 years, of Savannah, Georgia, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2014 at the Memorial University Medical Center.

She was born in Fort Madison, the daughter of Joseph F. Rupp and Rebecca J. Clay. Gretchen grew up in Fort Madison and was a 1998 graduate of Fort Madison Community High School. She attended college graduating early with a bachelor's degree from Charleston Southern University in 2001. Gretchen then received a master's degree in Library Science from Clarion University and served as the Child Services Librarian in Mason City, Iowa. In 2010, Gretchen and her family moved to Savannah where she worked with the Islands YMCA in child care.

Gretchen was a loving wife and devoted mother that adored her family and was full of life, gentle, kind and compassionate.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Howard Clay and paternal grandfather, Francis Rupp.

Surviving are her husband, David W. Hayes; her son, Lysander Gregory Hayes; her daughter, Merovy Juniper Hayes, all of Savannah, Georgia; her mother, Rebecca Clay, of Fort Madison, Iowa; her father, Joseph Rupp, of Fort Madison, Iowa; one brother, Nathan Rupp, of Vernon Hills, Illinois; maternal grandmother, Catherine Clay, of Hannibal, Missouri; paternal grandmother, Jo Rupp, of Hannibal, Missouri; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Her family will greet friends from 1:00 - 2:00 pm Saturday, September 13, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison. A Memorial service will follow and be held 2:00 pm Saturday September 13, 2014 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa. A memorial has been established for the Hayes Children Education Fund, contributions may be left at the Barr Memorial Chapel.