Eleanor Margaret Hayes

Eleanor (Arbini) Hayes passed away peacefully at our home in Dublin, California, on November 3rd. She was 100 years old.

Eleanor was born in Walla Walla, Washington, to Mary (Locati) and Carl Arbini. She was an only child. She graduated from Walla Walla High School at age 16 with straight A's and made the National Honor Society. She married Milan (Mike) Stewart at age 22 and had one son, Robert (Mick) Stewart, and was widowed about three years later. She remarried in 1954 to Homer Hayes and moved to California in 1955. She and Homer had one daughter, Shari. They were married for 42 years.

Eleanor worked for Birds Eye and the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin before moving to California. In California, she worked as an Executive Secretary for 33 years before retiring at age 66. She loved spending time with family; she even brought her mom and dad from Walla Walla to live with her in 1958. She loved playing cards, going to Disneyland with her grandkids and daughter twice a year, doing her puzzles, watching her favorite soap, The Young and the Restless, and, of course, The Golden Girls!!

She is preceded in death by her parents, her 1st husband, Milan, and her husband, Homer. She is survived by her son, Robert Stewart, and his wife, Dela of Arizona; her daughter, Shari Lee of Dublin; her grandkids, Christopher (wife Erin) and Brian (wife Danika) Lee, Stacey, Ryan, C.J. Stewart, and Nicole Swimme; great-grandkids, Sierra Stewart, Jayden Swimme, and Jade Lee. She was known for her patience and kindness to everyone. She taught us all to be better parents and people just by her example. We love and miss you so much.

Her celebration of life will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church in Walla Walla. Following the burial, please join us in celebrating her life at the Parish Center.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.