Dorothy J. Hayek

Dorothy Jeane Hayek, 89, a Cape Coral resident, formerly of Ft. Myers since 1951, passed away Monday, May 8, 2017 in Cape Coral, FL. She was born September 4, 1927 in Memphis, TN to Gracey and Marie Ritnour, the youngest of two daughters.

Dorothy attended Mississippi State College for Women. During her sophomore year there she was voted “Most Athletic”. She then transferred to Memphis State College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1949. While at Memphis State she met a young man named Will J. Hayek, who was attending college on the GI Bill. They married August 8, 1947. After graduation, they moved to Washington DC
where her husband attended law school at Gorge Washington University. They lived on their 37′ sailboat, the Gray Dawn. Dorothy worked for the Federal Government.

In 1951 they set sail on the Gray Dawn heading South for the West Indies. Dorothy had an Uncle who lived in Ft. Myers so they decided to change course and visit him before they headed to their original destination. As fate would have it the adventurous young couple dropped anchor at Ft. Myers Beach, built a small beach cottage and began their life in Florida.

Dorothy and her husband started a family in 1954 and raised three children, Anna, Will, III and Cynthia. They both had a great love of animals and the country life and wanted their children to experience this lifestyle. They moved to the country and purchased a home on 5 acres of land in N. Ft. Myers, where they raised Shetland ponies and a menagerie of other animals. They lived the country life for about seven years then relocated the family within the city limits of Ft. Myers. The Hayeks purchased 10 acres of land on Hickey’s Creek in Alva, FL and relocated the ponies there. Dorothy and her family enjoyed weekends at “the ranch” for many years to come.

Dorothy was an avid tennis player. She was musically talented, playing the piano, clarinet, and harmonica. She was a member of the Ft. Myers Harmonica Band and the German Club Band of Cape Coral. At the age of 39 she became a follower of Jesus, was baptized in the Episcopal Church, and began a life of Christian service. Dorothy felt called to Evangelism. She was a Sunday school teacher, led adult fellowship groups, sang in the choir, and gave personal witness. Dorothy received a Bachelor of Theology at The Ft. Myers Bible Institute in 1977 and the degree of Master of Biblical Studies from Gulf Shore Bible Institute in Ft. Myers in 1984. She also attended Memphis Theological Seminary and The Seventh Day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrew University in Berrien Springs, MI. She became an assistant Minister and an Associate Pastor at two different churches. In 1971 she made a pilgrimage to The Holy Land.

Dorothy lived a life of many adventures in different locals. She was a very graceful and gentle Southern lady and a great example to her family. She demonstrated a life of forgiveness and tolerance and lived a simple and peaceful life. Material possessions meant little to her and she never wanted for much, never complaining.

She is survived by her loving daughters, Anna Fabisiak of Alva, FL and Cynthia Bakos of The Dalles, OR; four grandchildren, Lauren Jeane Dunford, Whitney Layne Bakos, Nicholas Michael Fabisiak, and Caroline Marie Bross; as well as two great grandchildren, Quinnleigh Parker Fabisiak and Rowan Michael Fabisiak.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her son Will “Joe” Hayek, III.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday the 20th of May, 2017 at Grace United Methodist Church, 14006 Matanzas Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33905 with Pastor Shari Lacey officiating.

Directly following the service there will be a barbeque and a celebration of Dorothy’s life at The Caloosahatchee Regional Park, 18500 River Road, Alva, FL. Please meet at the large pavilion at the main entrance. We suggest wearing comfortable clothes or bring something to change into. Bathrooms are available. There are picnic tables under a covered pavilion but feel free to bring lawn chairs. Dorothy loved a barbeque!!! (but would leave at the first mosquito bite!).

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.