Gudrun A. Hays

September 19, 1948 - October 14, 2019

Methuen – Gudrun A. (Heinzenroder) Hays, 71 of Methuen, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2019 at the Lawrence General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Ted Hays, to whom she was married for 51 years. Gudrun was the daughter of Christina Heinzenroder Ziemann and Bruno Ziemann. She was born and raised in Treysa, West Germany. In 1967, Gudrun caught the attention of a young GI, Edward (Ted) Hays. They married and had their first child, then moved to America and made a home in Methuen, where she had their second child. She then attended Salem State College for Early Childhood Education. Gudrun had a largely successful career as the co-owner and director of Washington Street Children’s Center in Methuen for 37 years, where all of her students lovingly called her Nana. Gudrun is survived by her husband, Ted Hays; her daughter, Carolyn Furbush and her husband, James of Lawrence; her son, Erik Hays and his wife, Nahil (Dunn) Hays of Haverhill. Her pride and joys were her six grandchildren, Brittany (Thomas) Boucher and her husband, Matthew of Methuen, Brett Thomas of Lawrence, Christyna Walsh of Derry, NH, Connor Furbush of Lawrence, and Aidan and Jacob Hays of Haverhill. She has two great grandchildren, Bryce Murray and Chase Boucher of Methuen. She is also survived by her only brother, Bernd Ziemann and his wife, Michaela of Germany and her nephew, Eric Ziemann also of Germany, as well as her sister-in-law, E. Jane Cronin and her companion Patrick Music of Lawrence and several nieces and nephews and wonderful caregiver and friend Brenda Ruiz of Methuen. Gudrun was a traveler, enjoying trips with many friends to Aruba, St. Martin, Las Vegas, and Germany to name just a few. She also loved spending time at the family’s beach house in Moody Beach, Wells, ME. Gudrun enjoyed socializing and weekly dinners out with her friends. Her entire life was her family and the children of her daycare. She enjoyed cooking traditional German meals and baked goods. She loved watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow and excel in school and at many sports. She will be missed everyday by her family and friends. Family and friends will honor and celebrate Gudrun’s life by gathering for her calling hours on Sunday, October 20, 2019 from 1 – 5 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Her funeral service will take place at 11 AM on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Methuen. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hays family.