Barb (Shaffer) Hayes

Barbara Ann Shaffer Hayes, passed away peacefully at her home in Victor, Idaho, with family at her side. She was indeed a tough lady, having battled numerous serious health issues during the five years since her massive stroke in 2019.

Barb was born July 28, 1943, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Williamsport High School in 1961, voted the "All Around Girl" out of 900 in her senior class.

She graduated from East Stroudsburg University (ESU) in 1965 with a BS Degree in Health Education. She was a football cheerleader and member of the ESU demonstration gymnastic team. Barb began her elementary physical education teaching career in Livingston, New Jersey.

She met her husband to be in 1965 at a Pocono Mountain "watering hole". They were married in 1967 in East Stroudsburg, PA. They moved to York, PA, where Glen worked fabricating NSSS hardware for the Naval Nuclear Fleet and Barb continued her teaching career at York Suburban School District. Barb was very active in the York Lutheran Church and the Young Women's Club. Their two sons were born in York, Scott in 1971 and Geoff in 1974.

In 1975 their love of the outdoors, mountains, and especially skiing brought them to Idaho Falls, Idaho, a place they called home for 46 years. Their daughter, Susan, was born in Idaho Falls in 1976.

Barb continued her teaching career at Holy Rosary Catholic School and taught as a substitute in the Idaho Falls School District 91.

An active member of First Evangelical Lutheran, her church was an important part of her life; singing choir, bell choir, liturgist, Stephen Ministry, and volunteer at many church related functions.

Barb was instrumental in introducing group fitness to Idaho Falls in the 1970's, initiating a group fitness program at the Idaho Falls Health and Racquet Club. She was a group fitness director at Downtown Athletic Club, Heart Body and Soul, Alpha Lady, Westside Fitness, and most recently at Apple Athletic Club (now Club Apple). Barb continued teaching water aerobics at Apple until the time of her massive stroke in 2019. Also, during her time at Apple, she and a few friends introduced the new (at that time) sport of pickleball to Idaho Falls.

She was an avid skier, her love of skiing sent her to numerous resorts in USA, Canada, and Europe. Of course, Grand Targhee was her favorite where she was a fixture on the slopes and at the Trap for a little hydration après. She was very involved in the Idaho Falls Ski Club (IFSC); president, platinum award recipient, and co-chair of the annual ski sale for many years. Also, in the 1980's, IFSC sponsored the Idaho Falls Ski Race Team and the boys practiced 4 times a week at Kelly Canyon. Barb spent many hours at race team practices monitoring the "sketchy" race team rope tow and race gates on the Kelly Canyon face. Skiing was such an integral part of Hayes' household that the boys thought the correct spelling of spider was with a "y" not an "i". In 2021, their part time "ski cabin" in Teton Valley became their full-time residence.

Barb is survived by her husband, Glen of Victor, ID; daughter, Susan (Juan) of Victor, ID; son, Geoff (Jill) of Sherwood, OR; son, Scott of Salt Lake City, UT; and 3 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Dresher; father, Carlton Shaffer; and brother, Samuel Shaffer.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 W Sunnyside Road. The family will visit with friends beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission or the Family Safety Network in Driggs, Idaho.