Naomi Catherine (Kiesler) Hays

Naomi Catherine Hays, aged 80, of New Albany, IN, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023, just five days short of her 81st birthday. She was born on October 31, 1942, in New Salisbury to her parents, William and Alma (Roberts) Kiesler, both of whom preceded her in death. Naomi's heritage was deeply rooted in a long line of immigrants, primarily from Germany and the British Isles, with numerous family members who had dedicated their lives to the cause of democracy, spanning from the Revolutionary War to the present day.

A woman of great intelligence and ambition, Naomi achieved the distinction of being the valedictorian of the Morgan Township High School class of 1960. She pursued her education at Indiana University, where she earned a degree in Mathematics and a minor in German. Her passion for these subjects led her to teach them, first in Detroit and later at Morgan Township High School. After having the opportunity to teach her youngest brother, Don Kiesler. Naomi's teaching journey took an unexpected turn when she decided to switch career fields, ultimately becoming a data and technical expert at Citizens Fidelity Bank in Louisville. Here, she blazed a trail as a female pioneer and acquired expertise in various computer programming languages. After overcoming a health setback, she came out of retirement and continued to explore her love for numbers and news, working for H&R Block and the New Albany Tribune.

Naomi's insatiable thirst for knowledge extended into her personal life, as she was an avid historian with a deep appreciation for both world history and her family's genealogy. She possessed an adventurous spirit; at times she may have even hopped the occasional fence to visit abandoned gravesites during her explorations. She also found joy in watching sports, listening to public radio, and savoring the occasional dinner of pancakes, all while living life on her own terms. Her spirited laugh and knack for finding humor in everyday events endeared her to all who knew her.

Naomi is survived by her beloved and only son, Patrick (Angela) Hays, of Columbia, MD, as well as her cherished grandsons: U.S. Army Specialist Kelly (Melissa) Hays of Fort Meade, MD; Alex (Faith) Hays of Columbia, MD; and Parker (Kenzie) Brennan of Columbia, MD. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Eden Jonathan Hays, and another great-grandchild expected in 2024. Her memory lives on through her sister and brothers: Viola Branham of Frankfort, KY; Jim (Catherine) Kiesler of Lafayette, LA; Bob (Louise) Kiesler of Evansville, IN; and Don Kiesler of Naples, FL. Additionally, Naomi is remembered by six nieces and nephews and all their children.

In the final years of her life, Naomi found respite in the company of her family, including her son Patrick, his immediate family, her brother Don, and, particularly under the watchful care of her dear niece, Cheri Graham and her sister Viola.

Visitation to celebrate Naomi's life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Love Funeral Home in Palmyra, IN. Funeral services will commence on the same day at 1 p.m. at Love Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Naomi's name to your local library, PBS, or NPR station in her memory. Naomi's legacy will live on through the impact of these donations on the community she cherished.

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