Linda Hayward, RSCJ

Religious of the Sacred Heart, Linda Hayward, passed away on December 13, 2025, in Atherton, California. She was 86 years old and a religious for 65 years. Linda was born on July 12, 1939, in Hollywood, California, to Thomas Selden Hayward and Louise Marie (Bickel) Hayward. She was one of nine children with four sisters and four brothers.

Linda entered the Society of the Sacred Heart on February 11, 1960, after completing two years of study at the San Diego College for Women. She made her first vows in 1962 and then taught at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in El Cajon for the next two years. She also completed an undergraduate degree in English from the University of San Diego in 1964, before moving to teach at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, 1964-1967.

Sister Hayward went to Rome for probation and made her final profession on July 22, 1968. She then returned to Forest Ridge, where she taught and served as assistant dean of students until 1970. She earned an MA in English at the University of San Diego in 1968. In 1970, Sister Hayward joined the parish staff at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in East Palo Alto, California, and served there until 1977. She then joined the staff at Santa Sabina Center in San Rafael, California, for the next three years. After completing an M.Div. in Spirituality from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley in 1983, Sister Hayward joined the staff at House on the Way in Oakland, California, where she served part-time for one year.

From 1984 to 1990, Sister Hayward was ministry coordinator at Mission Dolores, San Francisco. She held pastoral positions at St. Anthony’s Parish, 1990–1993, and Holy Trinity Parish, 1993–1996 in San Francisco. Between 1993 and 1999, she led retreats at the Sacred Heart Spiritual Ministry Center in San Diego. Additionally, she contributed to the diaconate program in San  Francisco by organizing and facilitating retreats. She also served as director of catechetical ministry at Christ the King Parish in Pleasant Hill, California. After completing a year of renewal in 1999, Sister Hayward began her service at Blessed Sacrament Church in San Diego, as director of RCIA, a role she fulfilled until 2010.

She also served on committees and organizations such as Bread for the World (1973–1988), the National Pastoral Life Center (1988–1993), and the RSCJ On-Going Formation Committee of the US Province 1983-1986.

Sister Hayward retired from full time ministry in 2010. She continued her love of writing and storytelling over the years and enjoyed her many interests in photography, poetry, Native American spirituality, camping and hiking to name a few. 

In 2018, she moved to the Oakwood Retirement Community in Atherton, California, where she was an active member until her health declined. She was placed on hospice care in the fall 2025, and she went quietly to God on December 13, 2025, aware of how much others loved her and how much God loved her.

A memorial mass will be celebrated for Sister Hayward at Oakwood on January 15, 2026.