Marion Thomas Haines

Marion Thomas Haines passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Marion was previously a resident of both Ann Arbor and Saline, Michigan. Marion was born November 10, 1924, in Ishpeming, Michigan, the daughter of Avis Ann Thomas and William Henry Thomas. She married the love of her life, Richard Francis Haines, on December 20, 1951, sharing 53 years together.

Marion graduated from Michigan State College (now Michigan State University) in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in Medical Technology. She worked for many years in the laboratory health system at the University of Michigan, eventually overseeing the U of M Arthritis Research laboratory. Marion was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor, MI.

Marion loved education and was instrumental in encouraging her children and grandchildren in the pursuit of, and excellence in, education in their areas of interest. She was a lifelong learner in her own right, enjoying current events, reading, music, gardening, learning about different countries and cultures, and sharpening her many handicraft talents including sewing, knitting, needlework and quilting. U of M's Mott/Holden NICU was the recipient of many baby hats, lovingly knitted. Her diverse and beautifully handmade pieces are cherished items, gifted to family members over many decades of creative effort.

Marion and Richard (Dick) loved spending time at Lake Charlevoix, one of the highlights of their summers. Time relaxing, boating, teaching generations to waterski and fish, fireworks, eating ice cream and saltwater taffy, sharing time with family over the decades, was always considered a vacation well spent. Marion and Dick were supporters of the U of M Rackham Graduate School, and ardent U of M football, basketball, and softball fans. They also supported and enjoyed attending the wide variety of activities and sporting events that their children and grandchildren were doing. Their shared love of golfing kept them busy together in retirement, and Marion especially enjoyed playing on the beautiful course at Radrick Farms.

Marion enjoyed making new friends and found special friendships in her neighborhood and in golf and community activities in Ann Arbor, in Saline with her bridge-playing and knitting friends at Brecon Village, and most recently with those she met in Harbor Springs. Her friends described her to us as "such a good storyteller"; that knowing her enriched their lives, but especially that they felt they knew her family also, by the loving stories she told.

Marion loved her family and was loved by them. She was "Honey", "Mom", "G-ma/Grandma", "GG-mama", "Auntie May", and "Tommy" in high school. She loved her many dog grandchildren and supported the Humane Society of Huron Valley for many years. We remember going door-to-door as children with Mom for the March of Dimes, another of her special interests. We will remember her in many ways, and for many things. Thanks to Mom, we will continue to enjoy her pasties, cinnamon rolls, caramel sauce, and coffee toffee, because she passed down cherished family recipes.

Marion is survived by three daughters, Barbara (Stephen) Jaquith of Harbor Springs, Kathryn (Craig) Welch of Saline, and Deborah Stephens of Midland, Michigan; five grandchildren, Anne (Jeffrey) Newman of Roanoke, VA, Johnathan Jaquith of Harbor Springs, MI, Miranda Welch of Columbus, OH, Austin Welch of Arlington, VA and Gillian Welch of Charleston, SC; and four great granddaughters, Riley and Maren Newman, and Araeya and Madalynn Jaquith; and nieces and nephews and their families.

Marion was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Richard F. Haines; her parents; four brothers, William, Edmund, Clifford and Francis Thomas; one sister, Dorothy Eddy; and her son-in-law, Raymond Stephens.

Cremation has taken place. Marion will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery later this spring with a private family ceremony.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.muehligannarbor.com for the Haines family.

In lieu of flowers, her family suggests donations in Marion's memory may be made in support of any of the following:

Humane Society of Huron Valley https://www.hshv.org/

First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor https://fumc-a2.org

March of Dimes https://www.marchofdimes.org/