Eleanor "Tootsie" Hayes Obituary (1924 - 2013)

Eleanor "Tootsie" Hayes, 89, formerly of Bloomington, passed away at 6:40 a.m., Friday, December 27, 2013 at the Meadows Mennonite Retirement Home in Chenoa, Illinois.Her service will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home and 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, both in Bloomington with Rev. R. Anthony Lee and Rev. Carl Lo Presti concelebrating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday (12-29-13) at the funeral home, with the rosary recited at 7:00 p.m.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Marys Church, Lexington or Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington.She was born September 17, 1924 in Bloomington, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph Letta Bea Van Hook Beningo. She married Robert Hayes on September 28, 1946 in Bloomington. He preceded her in death on March 27, 1988.She is survived by her five children, Janet (Denny) Whitworth, Rita (Roger) Donovan, Robert (Pat) Hayes, Mary (Jeff Brennan) Mardis, and Barbara Campbell all of Bloomington. She has 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jim Beningo, sister Gracie Beningo and son-in-law, Mark Campbell.Since 1972, Tootsie has been the co-owner of Beningos Italian Restaurant in Bloomington along with her daughter and son-in-law Janet and Denny Whitworth. She worked at the restaurant until she was 80 years old.Tootsie, Lorene and Shelby Stewart worked together for many years at Casellas Italian Restaurant in Bloomington. When Beningos Restaurant opened, Lorene and Shelby came to work at the restaurant. Her sister Gracie also worked at Beningos and they were known as the "Spaghetti Sisters". On their day off, Tootsie, Lorene and Gracie spent the day fishing. Not sure how many fish were caught, but a good time was had by all. She was also especially close to her neighbors Grace Herman Rutledge who she loved dearly. She always thought of Grace as another sister. Most Monday mornings were spent with Grace having coffee, talking and lots of laughter.One day, one of the great grandchildren asked if she got her name from the candy "Tootsie Roll." From then on, they always called her Great Grandma Tootsie Roll. It always brought a smile to her face. When her grandkids and great grandchildren came to visit her, it would always brighten her day.She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be greatly missed by her family, friends and loved ones.