Jaylyn Ann Hayden, 80

Jaylyn was born March 26, 1943, to Louise Ann Vrska Burns and W.J. Burns at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla.

At the beginning of the BIG War, World War II, W.J. was stationed in the Army Air Corps in Oklahoma City. As the war raged on, Jaylyn and her mother Louise moved to Marshal, Okla., to the Vrska Farm while Daddy was overseas. At the war’s end, the family moved to Tonkawa, where Daddy farmed. Jaylyn’s little sister, Gwendolyn, came along in 1946. 

Jaylyn started first grade at Union Country School near the family farm. The small two-room school sat on a big field with a horse barn. In second grade, Jaylyn attended St. Joseph Catholic School, taught by the Felican nuns. It cost the family five dollars a month, and the school had 50-60 students yearly. Those students were fed by the cook, Jaylyn’s mother, Louise. The family moved to town once Jaylyn was 16 to the house where her parents stayed for the next 40 years. Jaylyn graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1961. Then attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College and later attended the University of Oklahoma. 

Jaylyn spent all her growing-up years around family. The Burns family was full of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. Weekends were spent fishing with bonfires at night, sledding behind a tractor, or watching TV on Saturday nights at Uncle Junior’s house. Music was a significant part of Jaylyn’s life. Jaylyn took piano lessons for eight years and practiced every night for an hour and a half. She also was involved in the high school choir and Glee Club, and performed Ave Maria at Midnight Mass and also played the organ. Jaylyn was a member of 4-H, FHA (Future Home Makers of America),  her church youth group, and later was also a member of her College’s Drill team, the Mavettes.

Jaylyn married Billy Ray Hayden at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tonkawa, Okla., on Aug. 17, 1963. Jaylyn always joked the ring cost Bill a cow and a calf. After the couple was married, they moved to Deer Creek, Okla., where they welcomed their two daughters, Kimberly Ann and Kellie Rae, one year and eighteen days apart. The girls were Jaylyn and Bill’s pride and joy. Jaylyn loved to dress the girls with matching hats, gloves, and purses.

In 1969, Jaylyn and Bill decided to leave everyone and everything they knew in Oklahoma and move to Idaho. Jaylyn said, “We looked like The Grapes of Wrath.” In their old pickup loaded with stuff, coming over the mountains to the most beautiful place they had ever seen. Jaylyn stayed home with her girls. She loved to play Bridge and was a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Jaylyn went to work at Valley View Elementary as a Special Ed aide when Kellie was ready for first grade. 

Years later, Don Armstrong, a friend from Bonners Ferry and ex-superintendent, convinced Jaylyn and Bill to move to Potlach, Idaho. Bill taught school and coached football while Jaylyn went to the University of Idaho to finish her degree in family consumer science. Bill and Jaylyn then moved back home to Bonners Ferry. Jaylyn became the Home Ec teacher at Bonners Ferry High School for many years. Jaylyn was considered “everyone’s grandma” and never believed what she heard in the teacher’s lounge. Each student had a clean slate when they entered her classroom. 

In retirement, Jaylyn enjoyed doing everything she taught in Home Ec classes, as well as fishing, and spending time with friends and family.

Jaylyn is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill Hayden; her daughter, Kim and husband Rob Pluid of Moyie Springs; son-in-law Jim Nelson of Townsend, Mont.; and her sister, Gwen Burns of Ponca City, Okla. Jaylyn has 10 grandchildren: Zach Dirks (Chelsey), Mark Pluid (Andrakay), Robbie Pluid Zook (Jason), Eli Studer (Katie), Matthew Pluid (Shantel), Jordan Nelson (Crystal), Katie Pluid Miller (Joey), Emma Pluid Lemmert (Kirk), Maggi Pluid Foster (Drew) and Mary Pluid. Jaylyn was blessed to have 16 great-grandchildren, Gracie, Hayden, and Addison Pluid, Mason, Myles, Max Darrow, and Dash Pluid, Jenna, Lucy, and Mylie Zook, Kinsley Dirks, Bella, and Leah Lemmert, Ember Nelson, and Milo Miller. 

Jaylyn is preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Kellie; and her parents, W.J. and Louise Burns.

Viewing will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2024, at Bonners Ferry Funeral Home with Rosary at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

To leave a message or memory for the family go to bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Bonners Ferry Funeral Home is caring for the family.