Clareen Carter - Hays

Clareen Carter Hays (1942-2022)

Our beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Clareen Carter Hays, passed away peacefully while in her residence at Meadow Peak Memory Care in Taylorsville, Utah on Friday, October 28, 2022, at the age of 80.

Clareen was born on October 26, 1942 to Dean and Kathryn Carter. Growing up in Gardena, California, Clareen had many fun times with her older sister, Kaydean, and her younger sister, Sally. She graduated from Gardena High School in June 1960 and worked various jobs while taking classes at El Camino College.

Clareen met her future husband, Dennis Hays, in October 1963 and they were married in the Los Angeles Temple on September 10, 1964. They lived in Provo, Utah and Davis, California while Dennis attended college. Clareen worked hard to support Dennis during this time and was tireless in her devotion to her family throughout their 58 years of marriage. After Dennis graduated they lived in San Diego, Downey and Bakersfield, California. They are the parents of three children.

Clareen loved being an aunt, mom, and grandma. She loved coming up with memorable field trips and activities for her kids, including trips to libraries, museums, beaches, parks, zoos, and pools. When visiting her grandkids, she would always bring her “grandma bag” filled with games, toys, and activities.

She also enjoyed traveling and collecting mementos from each of the places she visited. She and Dennis traveled extensively throughout North America, Europe, and the Caribbean and she always came back with something to show and a story to tell. Her children and grandchildren enjoyed the postcards she loved to send from these interesting places.

Clareen was never afraid to take on a new challenge. She returned to school while in her 50s and earned her associate degree from Bakersfield College. She also worked at the Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS) for 19 years.

Clareen was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings with a willing and cheerful heart. Young and old were blessed by her energetic efforts over the years in several leadership roles, including time as the Stake Primary President and Stake Relief Society President. For more than 15 years, Clareen excelled as the Public Affairs Director for the Bakersfield region. In this role, she helped organize many community events and activities that united different religious denominations and blessed the lives of many in Bakersfield and its surrounding areas. She and Dennis also served as full-time missionaries for the Church in Moscow, Russia from 2013-2015.

Clareen loved to meet new people and learn about them. She was quick to introduce herself with a smile and a friendly hello and made new friends everywhere she went. She also loved keeping in touch with all her old friends and family members. Clareen had a particular love for seniors. While serving as Stake Relief Society President in Bakersfield, she started a program inviting seniors from the community to come and enjoy a good lunch and to spend time with friends. Clareen leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, service to others, and most of all, Christlike love.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis Hays, and her three children: Derek (Jennifer) Hays, Chad (Lisa) Hays, and Courtney Hays, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandson. She is also survived by her older sister, Kaydean Winter. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister, Sally Donnels.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 4, 2022 at 3:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (9900 White Oak Drive) in Bakersfield, California. The family will meet with friends at a viewing prior to the funeral service beginning at 1:00 PM. The funeral will be live streamed at https://zoom.us/j/95151661550 The burial will take place on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.