LUBBOCK, Texas (21 May 2008) — Family, colleagues and friends remembered Michele Hays as a loving person and professional nurse who was devoted to her patients. Hays, 45, died while scuba diving in the Cayman Islands during her holiday. Ironically, her tragic death occured at the same time local dive operators led by liquor store owner and strident tourism promoter Steve Broadbelt fought to prevent officials in the Caymans from enforcing government regulations aimed at making scuba diving safer. Each year, several tourists die in the Caymans while scuba diving and snorkeling. Hays died on May 12, the fourth tourist diver to die this year in the Cayman Islands. Born on July 8, 1962, in Portales, New Mexico, Hays graduated from Levelland High School in Texas in 1980. A bright and accomplished student who dreamed of becoming a nurse, Hays attended South Plains College, Texas Tech University, Methodist School of Nursing and West Texas A & M University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1991. As a Certified Nurse Case Manager, Hays was a popular and respected medical professional. In addition to scuba diving, Hays enjoyed dancing, skiing and her beloved pet dogs. Hays is survived by her parents, Clint and Karen Ramsey of Lubbock, brothers Michael Morrison, Larry Ramsey, Russ Ramsey, and Shawn Morrison, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Tragically, her daughter, Amy Hays, died in 1988. A celebration of her life will be conducted at Resthaven Funeral Home's Abbey Chapel in Lubbock on May 23, 2008 at 1 p.m. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK | | Michele Hays, 45, of Lubbock, Texas died while scuba diving during her holiday in the Cayman Islands.CDNN RELATED NEWSCAYMANS - Another tourist dies scuba divingSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
