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HAYS -- MARIE JENSON was born June 9, 1916, to Neal and Elizabeth Jenson of Estancia, New Mexico. Her grandparents left a wagon train to homestead near Estancia and Marie had a wonderful life growing up there and graduating from Estancia High School. She attended the University of New Mexico at the age of sixteen and her parents bought a second home in Albuquerque so they could watch over their young college student. She would live the next eighty years in Albuquerque. When she graduated from UNM, she was immediately hired as a physical education teacher at Albuquerque High School. When Valley High School opened Marie moved there and taught P.E. for a few years and then became Valley's Director of Student Activities for the rest of her career in education. Marie and her husband of 59 years, Guyton "Sheep" Hays were the only husband-wife tandem inducted into the University of New Mexico Athletic Hall of Honor. They were also one of the few couples mentioned in the Albuquerque Tricentennial Magazine published by the Albuquerque Journal. Marie was listed in the top 20 leading sports figures as a 1930s basketball star and a women's sports pioneer. Marie had a wall covered with awards and plaques presented to her from the State of New Mexico, the University of New Mexico, Valley High School, the National Cheerleaders' Association, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Yet, she always said her greatest accomplishments were her three sons, Cliff, Dan, and Gary. She spent her retirement years working with the UNM Letterman's Club, working on the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame banquets, traveling all over the world, playing bridge and mahjong, attending UNM football, men's basketball, and women's basketball games, and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also well known for her cooking, candy making, gardening, needlework and being a good neighbor. Her family will cherish the beautiful Christmas stockings and tree skirts she made for them. Marie is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Cliff and Linda Hays and Gary and Sandy Hays of Albuquerque and Dan and JoAnn Hays of Edmond, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her grandchildren and their spouses, Stacie and Charlie Michael, Kelly Marie Hays, Michelle and Dave Lynn, Tony and Kelly Hays, Steve and Maria Hays, and Debbie and Chad Pilkinton. Several great-grandchildren were also able to be loved and spoiled by GG Marie. They are Cale and Tate Michael, Cameron Hostetler, Mackenzie and Danny Lynn, and Ava, Mateo, Gianna, and Grayson Hays. Her beloved niece and her husband Dee and Bobby Cooper of Augusta, Montana, also survive her. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Neal and Elizabeth Jenson, her husband Guyton and her brother Neal Jenson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to UNM Letterman's Club Scholarship Program or to the charity of their choice. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the staff at Elmcroft Senior Living and Advantage Hospice for their care of Marie and her constant companion Brandi, her cocker spaniel, during the last months of her life. Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 3, 2012 at 11:00 am at the UNM Alumni Chapel. To view information or leave a condolence please visit: www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 3113 Carlisle Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-884-1188
        Published on: Sun July 29, 2012