Madeleine Louise (Poisson) Hayes

Madeleine Louise (Poisson) Hayes of Danville passed away in her home on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, just one day shy of her 92nd birthday.

Madeleine was born to Albert and Louise (Beaudoin) Poisson in Bellows Falls, VT on February 5, 1933. While growing up, she moved back and forth between Charlestown, NH and Sweetsburg, Canada. She attended Charlestown Elementary from 1st-3rd grades, Presentation de Marie from 3rd-9th grades, and Charlestown High School from 10th-12th grade, graduating in 1952. Madeleine married her beloved husband, Alan Hayes, in 1957.

After high school, Madeleine worked for a short time as a secretary in Claremont, NH, followed by insurance work in Keene, NH, using an IBM machine. Her next adventure took her to Pratt and Whitney in W. Hartford, CT, working in payroll doing Keypunch on another IBM machine. Madeleine then spent time as a homemaker until 1968, when she and Alan moved to Cabot, VT and took over the general store under the name: Hayes Incorporated. They also ran the Danville Grain Store, or “Colonial Barn,” in Danville, VT from about 1975-1980. Later she worked at Burndy’s in St. Johnsbury, VT, until they moved to Arizona where she worked for an inventory company. When Alan’s job moved them to West Virginia, she worked as a bookkeeper before finally retiring.

Madeleine’s family remembers fondly how much she loved to play cards and games with them. She would still say she “DOES NOT cheat,” but all that played with her knew better! She also loved knitting, collecting penguins, and practicing her French with anyone who was willing. While living in Arizona, she collected Degrazia Art. She enjoyed it so much that Lauria would send Madeleine a calendar every year after she moved back east. In recent years she enjoyed the sing-a-longs at St. J Health and Rehab with her friend Winona Gadapee, and speaking French with Mike Patoine.

The family would like to thank Caledonia Home Health and Hospice for all they did in the last few weeks of Mom’s life. A special thanks to Laurel D., Mom lit up every time you walked in to her room.

In addition to her parents, Madeleine was predeceased by her brother Jacques Poisson, and her granddaughter Ashley Harvey.

Madeleine is survived by her husband of 68 years, Alan Hayes; her children, Dodie Witkowski of Princeton, WV, Lera Gadapee (Brent) of Danville, VT, and Erin Gerzema (Jim) of Princeton, WV; her grandchildren, Cassie Witkowski (Everett) of Lashmeet, WV, Maddie Witkowski (Chris) of True, WV, Katie Gadapee of Richmond, VT, Tessie Gamble (Jared) of St. Johnsbury, VT, Bryce Gerzema of Hurricane, WV, and Orrin Gerzema (Summer) of Lerona, WV; her great grandchildren, Aurora Harvey, Joey Rice, Rozzy Jones, Parker Gamble, Max Gamble, Wyatt Gerzema, and Bowyn Gerzema; nieces & nephews, Jimmy Poisson and family, Lisa Olson and family, John Poisson and family, and Jeff Poisson and Family; lots of cousins and extended family, especially Lauria Bascom and Suzanne Smith.

There will be no services at this time.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com