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Jeff Hays, husband of WSLC’s Janet, dies at 65

hays-janet-jeffWEST SEATTLE — Jeffrey Allen Hays, husband of longtime Washington State Labor Council staffer Janet Hays, passed away suddenly on March 20, 2015. He was 65.

Husband, friend and partner of 45 years to Janet, who has served as WSLC Executive Assistant to the President since 1994, Jeff was born on Oct. 20, 1949, in Albuquerque, N.M., and resided in West Seattle since January 1970.

“It was a great pleasure knowing Jeff Hays,” said WSLC President Jeff Johnson. “He was an astute observer of politics and our social condition, and an incredible ballroom dancer with his partner and true love, Janet Hays. He was irreverent and he had a huge spirit. A few years ago he played golf with Robby Stern and me to raise money for the Foundation for Working Families. Quite a sight, not a one of us could play the game for beans. But Jeff, despite being in some pain and playing with wrong-handed clubs, played hard and made it fun for all of us.”

In addition to Janet, Jeff is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan and Jenny Hays of Henderson, Nev.; five nieces, two nephews, two grandnieces, two grandnephews, and many friends.

Memorial services will be this Friday, March 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery and Funeral Home, 6701 – 30th Ave. SW in West Seattle. All are welcome who knew and appreciated this wry, suave, romantic gentleman. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jeff’s memory can be made to the Virginia Mason Nephrology Fund, P.O. Box 1930, Mail Stop D1-MF, Seattle, WA, 98111.

“Please join us on Friday to celebrate his life and to lend support to Jan,” Johnson said.

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