Carmen Moreno Hayden, 89 of Lee Center, passed quietly at home on Friday, January 16th, in the presence of her grateful children.

She was born in Trujillo, Spain in 1936, one of 6 children of Manuel Moreno Civantos and Emilia Civantos Masa. Her family moved to Madrid during the Spanish Civil War, when she was a small child. She attended a convent school, forming close relationships with the sisters, which influenced her strong Catholic faith. As a teenager, she worked in a pharmaceutical company. Her beautiful singing voice inspired an uncle to offer to pay for music school, which her father would not allow, fearing she would become morally corrupt if she chose a performance career.

In Madrid in 1957, she met the love of her life, John Francis Hayden, after her older sister Ela had agreed to go on a date with him but became ill. She pleaded with Carmen to go in her place. 2 days later, they were engaged, much to the disapproval of her father, who refused to give his blessing until the day of their wedding in Madrid. Her family eventually came to love her husband "Jack." They traveled throughout Europe over the following year, living in the Netherlands before moving permanently to America, where the only person she knew was Jack. She learned English from scratch, overcoming language and cultural barriers, while deeply missing her family in Spain. They were married for over 66 years, raising 6 children.

Carmen built a reputation as an accomplished seamstress, working at various companies, including the former Doyle Knower and Simpkins stores, before concentrating on her home sewing business, attracting many devoted clients. She also worked as a Spanish interpreter for the court system and was a volunteer interpreter for Latino immigrant families in need. She was a devout member of St.Joseph's & St. Paul's parishes, volunteering her sewing skills for everything from making curtains for the Parish Center, to alterations for the priests' vestments. She received the Catholic Diocesan Service Award in 2022. In addition to being a Cub Scout den mother, she was an active member of many groups, including Home Bureau, the Women's Bowling League at the former Mohawk Lanes, the Wednesday Morning Club, the St. Joseph's Women's Club, and the YMCA, where in 2025, she received the Don Connelly Determination Award for "inspiring others to overcome life's challenges." Food was her love language, and her paella was legendary. For those who imbibed, she offered custom Margaritas.

Carmen's most impressive talents, however, were those of a kind and compassionate mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and member of the community, attracting many friends from varying backgrounds. Her ability to listen, her supportive demeanor, and her gift of gracefulness were widely admired. Her generosity of spirit was shared equally, even with those who had few other friends.

Up until the last few weeks of her life, she continued actively socializing, enjoying outings with close friends. Her loving & supportive neighbors in Lee Center remained dedicated to her well-being, up to the day of her passing, for which the family remains forever grateful.

She leaves behind sons John M. Hayden of Memphis, TN, and Michael J. Hayden of Rome, daughters Emily (Michael) McDowell of Acton, MA, Caroline A. Hayden of Rochester, NH, Carmen (Joseph) Pierpont of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Pamela V. Hayden of Clinton, NY, along with grandchildren Garrett Hayden, Ryan and Julia McDowell, Hayden Pierpont, Allison Clay and Carmen Thrash, and great-grandchildren Carmen Claire, Hazel, Halle, Madelyn, Paxton, and Brayden.

She was predeceased by her sister Ela Moreno Quevedo and her brother Manuel "Manolo" Moreno Civantos. Surviving members of her Spanish family are her sisters Maria Luisa "Guisy" Moreno Echeverria and Paloma Moreno Puentes, and her brother Antonio Moreno Civantos, along with many nieces and nephews on both the Moreno and Hayden sides of the family.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 23, at 9 AM, at St. Paul's Church. Burial will be next to her husband at Saratoga National Cemetery in the spring.

Relatives and friends may call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, on Thursday, January 22, from 4 to 6 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bright Focus Foundation for Macular Degeneration (brightfocus.org) the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (netrf.org), or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org).

Please offer online condolences at: www.barryfuneralhome.com.