Barbara Hayden, former Downey mayor and councilwoman, passes away at 83

DOWNEY – Barbara Jo Hayden, a former Downey mayor, council member and civic leader, died March 7, her family announced. She was 83.

Hayden and her husband, Bob, were married Nov. 19, 1960, the day after he graduated from Finley Engineering College. They moved from Missouri to Downey in October 1969 after Bob landed a job with Sierra Bullets in Santa Fe Springs.

With three young children, Hayden became an active PTA mom, planning school events and fundraisers. She wrote a cookbook, “The Wild Gourmet,” and was often asked to cook breakfast or dinner for high school service clubs, local police and fire department recognition days, and her kids’ athletic team parties.

She became interested in local politics in the late ‘80s. She served on the Downey Planning Commission, the Cerritos College Board of Trustees and the Los Angeles Republican Central Committee, 54th District.

In 1988 she ran for the Downey City Council at-large seat, defeating incumbent James S. Santangelo, who had been criminally charged with misdemeanor conflict of interest.

Hayden did seek re-election as her family decided to move back to Missouri.

In Sedalia, MO, the Haydens purchased WoodDale Farm, built a new home and Barbara settled in as the chief financial officer for Starline Brass, Inc., her husband’s business. She also served on the State Law Review Board and was appointed by the governor as a Missouri State Fair Commissioner for nearly two decades.

In 2015, Hayden was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, which she fought until her death.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Hayden; sister, Donna Blair; daughter, Cathy van der Linden (Jim); son Robert Hayden (Kimi); daughter Sally Hayden; grandchildren Sydney Johnson (Alex), Jack van der Linden (Makenzie), Camren Hayden, Dylan Hayden, Madison Hayden, Hayden Altena and Samantha Altena; and great-granddaughter Eleanor Johnson.