Carolyn Robbins Hayden

Carolyn Kaye Hayden (maiden name Robbins) lived a life of eighty years, from November 29th 1942 to March 15th 2023. She was born at home, in Putnam County, near Unionville Missouri. She lived in Hollandale Minnesota as a child, and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota. While there, she met James Hayden, and they married on March 21st 1964. Over the years, they lived in Lansing MI, then Chicago IL, then Saginaw MI, then Frankenmuth MI. They moved to Monroe in 1993, where they stayed.

Carolyn had a lifelong love of arts and crafts. She was a skilled basketweaver and ran her own business, entitled “Bittersweet Cottage.” She designed and sold beautiful and intricate baskets, as well as the kits and patterns to make them, both at basket conventions and via mail order, and she also taught basket weaving classes. In addition to basket weaving, she had a passion for writing, photography, and painting. Carolyn also had a life-long interest in Native American and Indigenous cultures, and in 2001 received a Master of Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in Native American Studies from University of Toledo. She was an avid reader, especially of science fiction, history, and mysteries, and was a big fan of Star Trek, Quantum Leap, and Marvel movies. Carolyn also had a deep and devoted love of cats, having many feline friends over the years.

Carolyn Hayden is survived by her husband James Hayden, sons Jake and Evan, daughters-in-law Heather & Miwa, grandchildren Cameron, Terra, Milo, and Felix, granddaughter-in-law Maria, great-grandson Jaxon, sister Shari, nephews Heath, Mikal, Eric, Nathan, Tyler, and Todd, her cousins and extended family, kind folks in her community, her best friend Laura, and all of our pets, whom she loved as much as her own. The family would like to thank the staff of Promedica Monroe Hospital, Frenchtown Senior Daycare, Senior Legal Services, Davita Dialysis, MCOP, Living Independence for Everyone, Lake Erie Transit, and Frenchtown Place Apartments, for their gracious help with Carolyn & James this past few months.

In accordance with Carolyn’s wishes, there is no official funeral, but family will gather later this year to scatter her ashes near a place that meant a lot to her – Lake Huron. The family frequently visited northern Michigan, particularly Alpena, where James and Carolyn owned a small cabin, and Rogers City, where they’d wished to one day retire. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Monroe Humane Society or the American Indian College Fund. Or just spare Carolyn a kind thought and pet a cat or a dog, or whatever kind of cute animal you like, when you get a chance.