Elaine “KiKi’ Hayden of Newburgh, passed away peacefully with her family and friends by her side at the Kaplan Hospice, on Sunday, January 27, 2019. She was 93.
Kiki was born and raised in her beloved city of Newburgh. Her parents were Michael and Adelina (DeRose) DeVasto. She was the youngest girl in a family of eight. As a young child she was already an organizer, she would plan family meetings, gatherings and events. At Newburgh Free Academy, Kiki was elected as the very first female to be a senior class president.
Kiki joined John J. Lease Realtors in 1971, she was an incredible sales associate, over and over again being a top in sales in all of Orange County, winning the Gold Excellence Award for Realtors many times. Kiki’s attention to detail, her passion for helping her clients, her real estate knowledge and her impeccable taste. She would ride through the city proudly talking about each house she has sold, and some of them more than once as years later the buyers would be back to have Kiki help them to sell or buy another house with her. Clients were still seeker her out, even in her 90’s, to list with her.
Kiki, had a motto “You must give to the community in which you live” (Marion, 2005) Her service in the community was evident early on as she has served on the Newburgh Day Nursery Board and very involved with the YWCA . She was on the YWCA board of directors, became board President, was a Trustee for many years and in 1966 she was honored as “YWCA Woman of the Year”. Kiki has also earned recognition for her unending love and devotion to the city of Newburgh with Key to the City and Newburgh Woman of the Year Award, honored by the Downing Park Planning Committee, Newburgh Republican Committee, Woman of the Year (2005) and Honoree Award from the Orange County Human Rights Commission.
She has served on the board of the Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and was a founding member of the Newburgh Chamber Music Group, was President of the Downing Park Planning Committee, was on Advisory Board of the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation, a volunteer at Fishes and Loaves, president of the Trestle Committee and most recently served as vice president of Trestle Inc. Kiki was involved in many other charities and non-profit organizations too numerable to mention.
Kiki married the love of her life, John J. Hayden (Jack). Jack and Kiki were blessed with a son, Shawn J. Hayden. Jack served in WWII and was a Bronze Star recipient. Kiki was predeceased by her husband, Jack, in 1979.
Their son Shawn married Dorothy (Hughes) Hayden and are proud parents to Kiki’s three grandchildren, Molly, Jack and Courtney, all were Kiki’s greatest joys. They live in Stowe, Vermont. Kiki is also predeceased by her beloved son, Shawn, in 2016.
Kiki is survived by her loving daughter-in-law, Dorothy, her grandchildren Molly, Jack, Courtney. close lifelong family friend, Melissa Hodgson and many very close and dear friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was on Friday, February 1 in St. Mary's Church, Newburgh. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.