Historical November–December 2013 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It’s never easy to have old friends leave our neighborhood.
It brings back many memories of shared activity and the shared desire to work for a better community. Yet, you wish well for your friends in the new life they are encountering. So it is with Dee and Gary Hayes. Their friendship and enthusiasm will be missed by many. Dee arrived in Skinker DeBaliviere in 1972 and lived with her state legislator husband, Steve Vossmeyer, on 6000 Westminster.
A son, Rob, arrived. Dee attended SLU law school and then joined the staff of the Circuit Attorney.
Her marriage did not last but in the course of her work she met police detective Gary Hayes.
They married and bought a house on 6100 McPherson.
They later adopted a daughter, Elena. Dee was elected as Circuit Attorney in 1992 and was reelected to a second term in 1996.
She then went into private practice and most recently served as counsel to Metro.
After leaving the police force, Gary worked as a private investigator for 12 years. For the past 16 years, he served as chief investigator for the city’s Department of Public Safety.
In addition to their active careers, Gary and Dee both served the neighborhood.
In the 1990s, Gary became a member of the SDCC Board, representing Grace United Methodist Church.
He was elected president and served two terms.
He participated in many council events, lending his enthusiasm and ability for hard work. Dee later filled the Grace spot on the board.
She had also participated in neighborhood theatre. Gary went on to serve on Washington University’s Good Neighbor Board. Both Dee and Gary have enjoyed the neighborhood and watched it improve over the years.
They like the fact that neighbor knows neighbor here.
There are many active people who work to make Skinker DeBaliviere a better place.
The diversity here has been important to them. Gary noted that he never lived in a neighborhood he enjoyed as much. “It is so conveniently located. You can walk to the Pageant, the Loop and Forest Park.” And the neighborhood is full of children. Dee and Gary agreed that Skinker DeBaliviere is a model for the city.
It has shown how to make a diverse neighborhood work.
The neighborhood is much safer now.
When Dee arrived in 1972, the neighborhood was really struggling. No one could get a conventional home loan; all the banks redlined this area. Fortunately, people like Suzanne Hart and Susie Roach formed our own real estate agencies.
The Lantern House was the only eatery on Delmar. Who would have thought it would turn out the way it did? What made so much difference was the commitment of the people who lived here. Although Thomas Wolfe said “You can’t go home again,” Dee and Gary are doing it.
They have bought a home in Lexington, Virginia, a small college town home to VMI and Washington and Lee.
The town of 7000 is about twice the size of our neighborhood.
It is where Dee was born and grew up. Gary talks about the green space, all kinds of wildlife and the peace and tranquility.
They will miss their friends here but have very good memories.
Original photograph caption
Dee and Gary Hayes. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2013.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2013_11.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
