Lorraine “bunny” E. (bean) Hayes Wilkins Obituary

Lorraine “bunny” E. (bean) Hayes Wilkins attended Bourne High School in Bourne, MA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Lorraine “bunny” E. (bean) Hayes Wilkins.

Graduation Year	Faculty
Date of Passing	Jul 11, 2015
About	Lorraine “Bunny” E. (Bean) Hayes Wilkins 1927-2015 Lorraine “Bunny” E. (Bean) Hayes Wilkins of North Falmouth MA passed away peacefully at the Royal Megansett Nursing Home on July 11, 2015. Bunny was born on July 26, 1927 in Auburndale MA. She was the eldest of four children born to Homer G. and Ruth E. Bean. She was the wife of Howard Wilkins, who preceded her in death. She was also the wife of Harry Hayes of Bourne with whom she had four children. Bunny was a graduate of Newton High School and graduated from Middlebury College in 1949 with a BA degree in English. She was a gifted writer, who began her career as a reporter for the Waltham News Tribune after her college graduation, when she met her future husband, Harry. They were married in 1951. She and her family eventually settled in Bourne where they bought an 1870 farmhouse with a barn near the Cape Cod Canal and the historic Aptucxet Trading Post. She and her children enjoyed summers at nearby beaches and by the canal. While raising her children she worked part time for the New Bedford/Cape Cod Times writing feature articles. In 1960, she began substitute teaching for the Bourne school system until 1963. Later she was an instructor for the U.S. Air Force teaching effective writing to officers, NCOs and above, per the order of General Curtis E. Lemay. After that she returned to teaching special needs children at the Hopefields-Riverview School. She then taught in the Bourne Public School system as a Junior High developmental reading teacher. From 1971 to 1980, she was again a special needs teacher at Whitman Hanson Regional High School. Later, she taught English and Speech and also served as the Public Relations Director at that school. Her brother Richard Bean preceded in her in death. When Bunny attended her 50th college reunion in 1999, in her reunion autobiography she wrote of her memories of her college years; “great friends, those beautiful mountains and a degree that took me a long, long way!” And it truly did!