Florence Hay

Florence Benson Hay was born November 20, 1915 in a farm house outside Barton City, North Dakota to Olaf and Julia Benson. She died September 24, 2014 in Yakima. Mom was the ninth of twelve children. Both parents emigrated from Norway. After graduation from high school she attended Minot State Teachers College for two years and earned her Teacher’s Certificate. She taught in Minot and Rugby ND for a couple years then moved out to Vancouver, WA to live with a sister. She later moved to Tacoma, WA where she met her future husband, David Hay. Dave was stationed at Ft Lewis prior to the start of WWII. They dated for three months and got married August 21, 1921. Dave was sent overseas during WWII. Dave returned from the war in 1946, they moved to Seattle, and 8-months later their first child, Scott, was born in November. Florence attended the University of Washington and graduated with a BA in Education. While living in Seattle she taught at Alderwood Manor Grade School . Their second son, Doug, was born June 1955 in Seattle. Shortly thereafter they moved to Yakima where she taught at McKinley, Hoover, and McClure Grade Schools. Florence attended CWU and gradated with her Master in Education. She was a reading specialist and taught at Davis HS until retiring. During their retirement, mom and dad enjoyed traveling in their motor home and rock collecting. Dave passed away in 1983. Mom was very active in the Republican Woman’s Club, the Parliamentary Law Club and the Yakima Rock & Mineral Club. Mom was a devout Christian and an avid reader of the bible. Mom’s true love was teaching. It was the only job she wanted to do. Years after her retirement, past students would contact her and thank her for helping them change their lives. After retiring, her focus was on her grandchildren and then great grandchildren. Her favorite time was family time. Two years after her husband died, Florence and son Scott spent a month touring Europe. While in Norway, she got to see the cabin where her mother was born in the 1870’s. Mom and son Doug took numerous trips in the Northwest and had many funny stories to share about their adventures. Mom loved attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. Brett’s football and baseball games, Shauna’s volleyball matches, and Tabitha’s and Lisa’s basketball games. Mom and her oldest granddaughter, Tabitha, had a very close and special bond. Tabitha helped mom in so many ways and became her caretaker. Because of Tabitha’s love and tenderness, mom was able to live in her own house until the last year. Mom then moved in with Tab for the remaining months. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dave, her parents and siblings. She is survived by her son Scott of Yakima, son Doug and wife Tracey of Yakima, five grandchildren, Brett Hay of Spokane, Alan Standridge of Spokane, Tabitha Tucker of Yakima, Lisa Holeton of Yakima, Shauna Bell (Brian) of Yakima and Jessie Rasmussen of Yakima. She is also survived by her 10 great grandchildren Chase & GageTucker, Izabella and Adelynn Lamb of Yakima, Khaylie, Braiden and Wyatt Holeton of Yakima, Alivia and Jacob Bell of Yakima and Violet Hay of Spokane. There will be a viewing from 3pm to 7pm Tuesday, September 30, 2014. Graveside Service will be at 11 AM, Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, family members request donations be made in mom’s name to their favorite charity. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Yakima is in care of the arrangements. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Florence Hay, please visit our flower store.