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Miranda Cutting
Bonnie's Child
Bonnie K. Hayes
February 28th, 1950 - February 10th, 2025
February 28th, 1950 - February 10th, 2025
Bonnie Kay Hayes, a beloved wife, mother, teacher, volunteer, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2025, in her hometown of Wheat Ridge after a courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 74 years old.
Born to Pete and Bonnie Scoma on February 28, 1950, Bonnie graduated as salutatorian from Jefferson High School in 1968. She then attended Austin College in Sherman, TX, where she studied biology and education. It was there she met the love of her life, Rod. Bonnie graduated in three years and married Rod the day after her graduation. She continued her studies, earning a Master’s in Teaching at Austin College the following spring.
Bonnie and Rod moved back to Colorado, where they raised two children, Miranda and Benjamin. They shared 53 wonderful years of marriage. Bonnie had a deep love for nature, her close friends and family, and travel.
A natural teacher, Bonnie dedicated 30 years to Jeffco Public Schools, where she inspired and nurtured the minds of hundreds of students. She taught elementary school, junior high Life Science, and high school Biology, among other subjects. Bonnie was especially passionate about hands-on learning, and for many years, she organized Outward Bound rafting expeditions on the Yampa River for ninth graders. She ended her remarkable teaching career at Jefferson High School, where she had once been a student.
Bonnie’s commitment to service extended beyond the classroom. For 45 years, she volunteered at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, dedicating much of her time to supporting others. In 1978, she founded the Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate Volunteer Program, which she ran for 25 years, providing crucial emotional support and resources to survivors of sexual assault who sought help at the hospital’s ER. Bonnie continued her work at Lutheran for another 20 years, training new volunteers and supporting the hospital community.
Bonnie was a member of the Colorado Mycological Society, the League of Women Voters, and the Jefferson County Education Association. She was a cherished friend to many, known for her dry humor, practical approach to life, quirky interests in the natural world, and steadfast advocacy for those in need. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched, her dedication to her community, and the love she shared with her family and friends. She touched many lives in profound ways, and inspired many with her strength.
Bonnie is survived by her husband, Rodman T. Hayes; her children, Mandy and Ben; her four grandsons, Ethan, Michael, Noah, and Alexander; and a host of beloved friends and colleagues. Her warmth, kindness, wit, and selflessness will never be forgotten.
In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Rocky Mountain MS Center or the Lutheran Hospital Foundation.
Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor Bonnie’s life with a heartfelt message.
Wendy Moline
What an amazing contribution Bonnie made to the volunteer program at Lutheran! She will be missed.
Jeanne Duffy
I met Bonnie nearly 30 year ago. We taught in the same school district as well as the same articulation area and we belonged to many of the same organizations. After retirement we both remained active in JCEA-R, an organization for retired teachers. As I grew to know her, unassuming Bonnie surprised me with her extensive commitments to service which were as diverse as her eclectic taste for Thai, Mexican and Middle Eastern food. And remarkably she never seemed lacking for energy despite her progressing MS. I was honored to form an even more special friendship with Bonnie when my husband was being treated for cancer at Lutheran Hospital. Each time we walked in the door for medical appointments if Bonnie was working she would call to us from her office to say hello. She made a point to let us know she was always in our corner, ready with a hug, her humor and her words of encouragement--always at the ready for us both. Bonnie would check on us during his surgeries or sit with me in recovery rooms offering words of support when I felt overwhelmed and helpless. Likewise when Rod had his stroke and was recovering, we often shared visits over meals by her office, reassuring one another that better times lay ahead. To Bonnie's family, I am sorry your hearts ache. I wish you could feel a squeeze every time someone thinks of you because I know you would feel a perpetual hug to say you are being thought of. Please let it help ease your loss knowing Bonnie will always be remembered for the many MANY lives she touched.
SELENE
I met Bonnie when I participated in an exchange program with her daughter Mandy. I stayed at her house. she always supported me as if I was member of ther family, I remember she always asked me how was school and how I felt. She undestood my feelings perfectly because she always had the right words to make me feel better. I wil always have her in my heart and prayers.
Carol McDonald
I met Bonnie 57 years ago when we entered the same dorm room in Caruth Hall on the first day of freshman orientation at Austin College. We had one thing in common; we were Austin Scholars, honors students allowed to take upper division courses without taking prerequisites. In everything else we were opposites. Bonnie had long honey colored hair; mine was dark brown and cropped short. She was an only child; I had four siblings. She was virtually engaged while I had never had a steady boyfriend. She came from a Republican family; I worked for Eugene McCarthy in Dallas, a liberal wasteland. She sought a degree in Science; I favored the Humanities. She claimed to be a Baptist; I claimed to be uncommitted. We were wary of each other. That didn’t last long. As we both adjusted to the new world of college life. We leaned on each other and became close friends. That continued all these long years. Bonnie sent me a card late last year that describes our friendship. The cover shows one woman telling another woman, “We’re good friends because we keep each other’s SECRETS.” Inside the card reads, “Go ahead. . . do something really embarrassing and put me to the test.” She signed it, “Love, Bonnie.” I wish I could oblige her now.
Barbara Gentry
I met Bonnie when I got a part time job at Evergreen Jr. High. We carpooled to work the next year and I got to know and respect Bonnie greatly. She was a strong influence on my teaching career as well as my interest in rafting. We remained friends from that time on including the births of our children and eventual parting when I moved to Salt Lake City. We met in the "middle" in Moab for years after my move and always picked up just where we left off. (Sorry for the fuzzy picture!) Her work at the hospital is inspiring, she had an amazing spirit. My condolences to her family, you had a very special mother and wife.
Bev Hayes
I first met Bonnie because of a botched email address. I live in Western Australia Australia, and we quickly became firm friends as we discovered so many coincidences in our lives. We met in person in Alaska then in New Zealand and again in Australia. Bonnie was an inspiration to me, as we shared our life stories and headed towards old age. I will miss her and remember her always.
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