Pamela Ann Hays of 1 Kavod Road, New Hartford, peacefully returned to the Lord on Saturday, June 10th, at her residence with her family by her side. Pam strived to live her life as an example of love. She greeted strangers with a handshake and "nice to meet you", and readily hugged family and friends, saying, "I love you". She enjoyed learning new things, and appreciated the education she received from her pre-school program, led by Bonnie Nelson, through her graduation from Herkimer BOCES. Pam competed in many Special Olympics sports thanks to the support of Marilyn Green and Sue Sportello, and earned many medals and ribbons, especially for swimming. In later years she remained active with HARC's bowling league sharing strikes and spares with friends Danny, April, Tomas and Todd. She also enjoyed therapeutic horseback riding at Windy J Stables. Pam was committed to her Catholic faith, and grateful to Fr. Alfred Lamanna for making it possible for her to receive the sacrament of First Communion. She faithfully attended Mass and when she could no longer be present in person, enjoyed watching EWTN and "receiving God" thanks to family friend Sylvia Pescatore arranging for communion for the homebound for her. Pam enjoyed a 20 plus year career in food service and assembly line work at Human Technologies Corporation before retiring in 2011. She traveled extensively, and looked forward to vacations, especially when the destinations involved spending time with her family in Maryland and California. She enjoyed going to movies, especially with her friend Robin, and also liked listening to music and watching her DVDs. She looked forward to visits with local family and friends, and in particular appreciated spending time with her sister in the Adirondacks. She overcame many medical adversities, and was consistently cooperative with caregivers during her many hospitalizations. Pam was born September 11, 1968, welcomed by her parents, Ed and Esther (Wheelock) Hays and older sister Patti. She enjoyed the love of a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, including the families of Ethel and Stanley Lupinski, Ward & Audrey, Don & Cindy and Bernie & Olivia Wheelock, and Donna and Darryl Gillette, and her godparents, Jim and Connie Smith. She appreciated the recent visit from her cousins Sharon and Mark Sexton (MD), as well as the e-mails and cards from her cousins Robin Smith (OR), Tammy& Rick Mathis (CO), and Earl and Lorraine Epps. Pam was blessed to have a special friendship with Toni Albanese of Lakeside Terrace in Old Forge. She cherished the time they spent together, going out to dinner, taking road trips and visiting at her apartment. She also looked forward to seeing her other special friends in Old Forge and Thendara, including Stuart and Jimmy, Lucy and Annette, and the team at Smith Marine. The family would like to thank the staff of Sitrin's Sequoia house and Gan Kavod's Maple residence for the attentive care Pam received during the past four years, with special thanks to Peggy, Miss Beth, Miss Liz, Jennifer, Teresa Blank, Dr. Nicholas Peters, Shirley Oddy, NP, Dr. John Pylman and Dr. Brian Chase. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Pamela's funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday, June 14th at 10:30am at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave., Utica, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Mark Kaminski. Private entombment will take place at the convenience of the family. Pam received supportive services from many organizations throughout her lifetime, including HARC, HTC, UCP, RCIL and Gan Kavod. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these agencies, which can be done directly or through the Community Foundation, or a donation to Pamela's favorite TV station, EWTN. To light a candle, please go to www.whiter-hendrix.com. In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone. ~ St. John of the Cross