Ellie was hired as a Team Leader on the 4 Main Medical/Surgical Unit of the Champlain Valley Hospital. She became Head Nurse on 5 Main the following year and Head Nurse on 6 Main in 1972; both were Medical/Surgical Units at that time. The Skilled Nursing Facility opened in 1974, and Ellie joined the nursing staff of that Unit as Head Nurse. She remained on this unit, becoming the coordinator in 1981 until she retired 15 June 1989.

Elinor was born on December 14, 1926 as Cashtown, Adams County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1944 and enlisted in the US Army Nurse Corps at Thomas Jefferson University School of Nursing. In 1948 She returned to her hometown and became a night supervisor at the Annie M. Hospital at Gettysburg, PA.

She is survived by her husband James Hays, two sons; Dr. James T. Hays, III (Jennifer Lynn) of Keswick, Va., John Charles Hays (Pamela Jean) of Grantham, NH, two grandsons; Benjamin James (Emily), and Daniel Telling (Hillary), one granddaughter; Kristin Susanne, three great grandchildren; Oliver Daniel, Eden Katherine and Jude Lawrence. Elinor is predeceased by her parents Wilbur Hammond Geyer and Verna Marie Klinefelter and a brother John Clair Geyer.

Elinor enjoyed traveling, bingo, Card playing, hosting family at her home on Lake Champlain and the Early American History of this era. She was a member of long standing of Kent de Lord House Museum, a board member of the Anderson Falls Heritage Society, Clinton County Historical Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

According to her wishes there will be no funeral services. Burial will be at a later date at Mountain View Cemetery in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Those wishing to honor Elinor Hays life may make a donation to the Jefferson Diploma School of Nursing, 1020 Locus Street, Building Suite 210, Philadelphia, PA. 19107-5233