Elaine Annette Hayden

June 21, 1925 - June 8, 2018

Elaine (Mains) Hayden - Dedicated Mother, Grandmother and Friend Elaine Hayden passed away peacefully on June 8th, 2018, at the Mennonite Village. She was born June 21st, 1925, in Hinsdale, IL, to Rolland and Mary (Reineke) Mains. In 1942, she endeavored and succeeded in being accepted to the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs),but was unable to serve as they were discontinued shortly after her acceptance. She still wanted to contribute to the war effort, and so chose to work at the Douglas Aircraft Factory where she met her husband, Thomas Hayden. They married and moved to McMinnville, OR, and later to Lebanon, where they raised their four children. Elaine was an artist at heart and tried her excellent hand at painting, calligraphy, needlepoint, flower arranging, and gardening. She loved the ocean. She was a skilled conversationalist, and always had a song or saying for every occasion. She was also an avid golfer, and an accomplished accountant and entrepreneur, but her real passion was friendship and family. The family home in Lebanon was always a hive of activity. In her many years as a dedicated and energetic matriarch to her family, Elaine also lived in Salem, Kodiak, Duvall, and Corvallis, as well as traveling often to Arizona. In 2000, her love for her lifelong friend, Wheezy, took Elaine back to Illinois for three years to care for her. She is survived by her 4 children; sons Thomas and Raleigh and daughters Judi and Kait, 7 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. A memorial and celebration of her life will be held at Samaritan Village in Corvallis in the dining room June 30th from 3-4:30pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Samaritan Village bus fund, 285 NW 35th St. Corvallis, OR 97330