Gail Anne Hayes

Gail Anne Hayes (nee Giudice), age 72, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2024, at home in Frankfort, Illinois surrounded by family and loved ones after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

Gail is survived by her husband, Louis Sr., her children Louis Jr. (Jacqueline), Christopher (Kendall), Paul, grandchildren Louis III, Olivia, Jakob, Emily, Parker, Brooke, siblings Diane (Ken) Thompson, George (Kit Crane) Giudice, Denise (Jack) Tucker, and Robert Giudice. Also surviving are many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Lou and Gail would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in November. 

Gail was born on May 31, 1952, in Westchester, Illinois, to the late George and Genevieve Giudice. She was a 1970 graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary High School, and moved to Homer Township, Illinois with her husband Lou after they married. Gail was a homemaker and raised a family of 3 boys and lived there until 2000 when they relocated to Frankfort, Illinois. Gail cherished her friendships from high school, and both the Homer and Frankfort neighborhoods – different eras in life, but each produced life-long deep friendships. 

At home with family was where Gail thrived. She enjoyed hosting family get-togethers, friend and neighbor gatherings, Italian Sunday dinners, and various holiday celebrations. She played the piano, had a guilty pleasure for watching tv game shows, and was always up for a card or dice game with family and friends. She was a loving and doting Grandma and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, watching them at their various events, and making waffles or cookies when they slept over. She always immediately set out snacks for visitors and loved “chit chatting” with friends on the porch or in the backyard overlooking her flowers and the pond. Gail was a godly woman and had a strong relationship with Christ, evidenced by her many prayer and devotional books and bible verse notes. Many will remember Gail for her upbeat and positive attitude despite her diagnosis, and the peace with which she embraced the unknown. 

Visitation for Gail will be held from 8:00am-10:30am on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort, IL. A funeral mass will immediately follow at 11:00am on October 5, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 7659 W Sauk Trail, Frankfort, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation for Lung Cancer Research at the American Cancer Association, https://www.cancer.org/donate.html.