Mary Patricia Hayes

Mary Patricia (Decato) Hayes, known as Patricia, 91, formerly of Merrimack passed peacefully on May 5, 2026, at home surrounded by loving family.

She was born in Merrimack, NH on March 17, 1935, daughter of the late Tracy I. and Hilda A. (French) Raymond. She was raised and educated in Merrimack and was a graduate of the McGaw Institute. She was a long-time resident of Merrimack.

Patricia is best known for her love and dedication to her family and faith. She was a loving, supportive, and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. With her husband Harry, they raised their four children together; she was the bookkeeper for their concrete foundation business; and enjoyed their annual winter escapes in Naples, FL. Following his passing, she married John Hayes on April 18, 1992 in Hudson, NH and moved to Brooklyn, MI to join him in beginning a new and adventurous chapter in life. He made his home hers on the lake where she enjoyed many beautiful sunsets and flowers. In her marriage to John, they travelled and together did Mission work with the Nomads for over ten years and each and every winter, they enjoyed their annual pilgrimage to Naples, FL. Their love and adoration for each other was tender and everlasting. Patricia lived her life with a strong unwavering faith, always trusting God over circumstances. She always had a kind word, a warm smile, and a loving hug.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her first husband, Harry Decato and their son, Donald; and second husband John Hayes. She is also preceded by her sister, Eva Greenleaf, and her five brothers, Guy, Charles “Charlie”, Ernest “Ernie”, Lewis “Dewey”, and Robert “Rob” Raymond; her son-in-law, Frank Ashline, and step-son-in-law, Thomas Stacy.

She is survived by her four children: Cindy Ashline; Tim (Donna) Decato, Mary (Mike) Vermeulen, Rodney (Cris) Decato; three step children: John (Fran) Hayes, Melinda Stacy, Connie (Tony Hosler) Petrinovic; four grandchildren: Nicholas (Amy) Ashline, Heather (Jim Punger) Ashline, Tiffany (Christopher) Adams, Carrie (Jesse) Speer; six step grandchildren: Jonathan Hayes, Michelle (Mary) Cacciapalle, Jeremy (Tiffay) Smith, Nicole Stacy, Cera Petrinovic, Tiffany (Kyle) Hagemann; nine great grandchildren; ten step great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

Visitation will be held at the Rivet Funeral Home located at 425 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack, NH on Saturday, May 16, 2026 from 10:00am – 12:00pm. A graveside service will immediately follow and will be held at the Last Rest Cemetery, located at 13 Baboosic Lake Rd, Merrimack, NH.

Following the graveside service, there will be a Celebration of Life at the American Legion, 43 Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack from 1 - 4 PM.