New Trier Graduate Leaves a Legacy of 'Courage and Laughter'

Courtesy of Donnellan Family Funeral Services

Mary Catherine Strobel Hayes lived an exuberant and full life defined by friendship, creativity, enthusiasm for every experience, and great good humor. She passed away on June 5, 2013 after a 4½ year battle with cancer. In truth, Mary Catherine defeated the disease. It could not kill her optimistic nature, cloud the purity of her experiences, dampen her drive to achieve, or hinder her ability to savor every moment with family and friends. 

Mary Catherine's triumph is a lasting legacy of courage and laughter for all who knew her and many who have learned of her indomitable spirit from others. 

Born in Skokie, IL on May 11, 1992, she lived most of her life in Winnetka, IL. She attended Greeley Elementary School, Skokie Middle School, Washburne Junior High, and New Trier High School, graduating in 2010. 

Mary Catherine’s passion was theatre. She participated in Winnetka Children’s Theatre and Wilmette Children’s Theatre in junior high; and was heavily involved with New Trier’s Performing Arts Department, appearing in and contributing to many shows. In her senior year, she was selected as co-producer of New Trier’s renowned student-run variety show, Lagniappe Potpourri, juggling with aplomb her extensive responsibilities to the show in the midst of chemotherapy and surgery. 

Mary Catherine attended Syracuse University in 2011 as an acting major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts before taking a leave to undergo additional cancer treatment. While taking a gap year between high school and college, she student-taught at New Trier in the Performing Arts Department and volunteered at Wilmette Theatre. 

Mary Catherine is survived by her parents, Matthew F. Hayes and Katherine Seigenthaler; her sister Marcella (Sally) McGee Hayes; her brothers, Thomas Lawrence Hayes and George Matthew Seigenthaler Hayes; and her grandmothers, Veronica Strobel-Seigenthaler (Nashville, TN) and Sue Floberg Hayes (St. Paul, MN). She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Thomas Patrick Seigenthaler and Lawrence Joseph Hayes; and her grandmother, Marcella McGee Hayes. She also is survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends around the world.

View the online memorial here.