Wanda Ann Hayes

Place of Birth

Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA
Place of Death

Ridley Park, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial Place

Lawn Croft cemetery, section B, grave 3-4, unit C of lot 166

Wanda was born December 21, 1933 to Thomas Edward Hayes and Wanda Ann Zarzycki. By 1940, Wanda lived at 917 Hayett Street in the fifth ward of Chester PA, with her mother and father, sister Jean, brother Thomas, as well as her uncle George. The family later moved to 1019 Elsinore Pl, Chester, where they lived when Wanda graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1951.

Harry and Wanda married on August 13, 1952. They had their first son while living at 607 E 13th street in Chester PA, then later moved to 928 McDowel ave, then to 530 E 11th. They later moved to 14 Norman St., Green Ridge before the birth of their 7th child. After their 9th and final child, Harry and Wanda moved the family to 211 Penn St, Ridley Park, PA.

In the mid to late 1960’s Harry and Wanda became avid bowlers, regularly appearing both in the local Delaware County Daily Times bowling for multiple local leagues, and attending banquets at Ridley Bowl.

Wanda worked for Pilot Air Freight as a bookkeeper, retiring in 1997, and served as the Minister of Music for St Madeline’s church in her later years.

Wanda passed on October 19, 2019, at The Belvedere in Chester PA, and was laid to rest with her husband Harry in Lawn Croft cemetery.

1933-2019 Wanda A. Hayes Towson, 85, longtime resident of Ridley Park, died October 10, 2019 at The Belvedere. Born in Chester, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Wanda Zarzyeki Hayes. Wanda attended St. Michael’s Elementry [sic] School, was a graduate of Notre Dame de Lourdes High School, class of 1951 and was employed as a bookkeeper for Pilot Air Freight before retiring in 1997. She was a member of the Church of St. Madeline, where she was a Minister of Music. Wanda was a Girl Scout Leader, an avid bowler, loved reading, cooking, music and traveling with her husband, but most important was time spent with her family and her home was always open to everyone. She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Harry E. Towson, who died May 14, 1994; and her sisters, Jeanne Greico and Barbara Everett. Wanda is survived by her children, Richard E. Towson (Debra), Theresa A. Walter (Frank), Michael T. Towson (Staci), Joan M. Suhanick (Gene), Susan J. Carson, Daniel R. Towson, Geri L. Daemon, Lisa R. Guerra and John E. Towson (Tina); her brother, Thomas Hayes; also, 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Funeral Mass: 10:30 AM Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at the Church of St. Madeline, 400 Morton Ave., Ridley Park, PA 19078, where relatives and friends may call from 9-10:15 AM. Burial: Lawn Croft Cemetery Memorial gifts may be made to the above church, Air Conditioning Fund.
www.whiteluttrell.com– Daily Times Powered by Legacy.com

My grandmom was an amazing person. She maintained and retired from a career while raising 9 kids, and in part, many grand, great-grand, and even great-great grand kids. Mom-mom’s house was where everything happened… Christmas; Thanksgiving; birthdays; uno; encore; crafting; gwumpkies, kielbasa, kids on the organ; mom-mom singing in the kitchen… so many wonderful memories. She encouraged the struggling. She took joy in simple melodies. She loved those of us who were, at times, unlovable. I am who I am, in part, because of who she was, and that will become a part of my children as well.

While Mom-mom had been leaving us piece by piece for some time now she is finally at rest. So much of her will live on through her family, and all those to whom she was ‘mom-mom’.
–Jason Daemon, October 13, 2019

Thomas Hayes (Center) Wanda and Harry Towson (right) -Aug 13, 1952

Wanda and her brother Thomas abt. 1940

Wanda holding her first son, 1953.

Harry and Wanda Towson (left) at a Ridley Bowl reception abt. 1967

Harry and Wanda Towson, abt 1990

Wanda in the living room at 211 Penn st, Christmas time 1990’s.

Wanda at age 6 with her family in Chester PA. –Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940

Wanda married Harry Towson on August 13, 1952, in Chester PA

Wanda graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1951. – Notre Dame High School yearbook, 1951

Harry E (Wanda) h 530 E 11th – Chester PA City Directory, 1956

Wanda bowled a 514 –Delaware County Daily Times, December 1, 1967, pg. 25.

Harry and Wanda wedding announced. – Delaware County Daily Times, August 19. 1952.

TOWSON–To Harry F.[sic] and Wanda Ann Towson, 14 Norman St., Green Ridge, a daughter, April 10. –Delaware County Daily Times, April 24, 1962, pg 21.