Maria Luisa Hagen

Maria Luisa Hagen, 87, passed away on August 12, 2022. Born Maria Luisa Verdu Espí, February 14, 1935 in Jijona, Spain, the year before the start of the Spanish Civil War. She was the second oldest of 4 children. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Her family was the center of her life and she enjoyed all that came with being a mother. She was a beautiful soul who touched many lives and a profound force in her children’s lives.

She often told stories of how difficult it was during her childhood as her parents were largely absent during this time leaving her to fend for herself and her siblings. At the young age of 12 she worked in the local candy factory. This made her a resilient and determined individual, which would prove invaluable to her later in life.

In 1956, she moved to France where she met the love of her life, an American airman Elmer Hagen, whom she married. They returned to the US with their first child and ended up in Charleston SC where they had two more children. Elmer and Maria loved Charleston and made it their home for many years after he left the Air Force.

At age 30, she was involved in a serious car accident when a tire on her car had a blowout. The car rolled several times causing her to break her back, paralyzing her. Doctors said she would never walk again. However, that diagnosis did not stop her from trying to move her toes, and after months in the hospital she finally did. It was a miracle that she was able to walk again.

Maria was strong willed, determined, and resilient beyond words. She was a hard worker who kept busy with various work and her family. In 1976, Elmer had a severe heart attack which damaged his heart so much that he was given a poor prognosis. Afterwards Elmer and Maria decided to open “Michele’s Restaurant” in Middletown, Ohio so that Maria would be able to support herself and her youngest daughter, knowing Elmer’s end was near. A year later, she also opened a little makeup and jewelry store, and did makeovers for people. Maria was a natural. She was very outgoing and loved to talk to people. Customers loved to come to the restaurant for her home cooking and specials.

Over the years she opened other restaurants, a convenience store, and even bought properties, renovating them with her second partner Louis Pickard and her son Marc, before renting them out. Maria was always rescuing stray animals and making sure they were taken care of, most often taking them in herself.

Her love of travel took her to different countries in Europe with Elmer, around the US and Mexico and back to Spain on many occasions. She would continue to return to Spain to visit her family over the years with Melissa and her grandson Matthew. She loved to laugh and to cook (especially Paella), to drink white Zinfandel and to socialize with anyone willing to talk. She was a fiercely loving and tough mother.

Most of all she was a true American patriot. She lived the American dream always working hard and becoming a successful businesswoman in the community she set roots in. She was fiercely loyal to her new country and was grateful for all she had and her faith in God and life everlasting.

She is survived by three children, Michele Collins (John Collins), Marc Hagen and Melissa Hagen (Garrett Thompson) and grandchildren Matthew Hagen, Erica Hagen, Blake Collins, Megan Thompson, Kara Thompson, Michael Thompson, and four great grandchildren.

Maria is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband Elmer Hagen and Partner Louis Pickard. Services will be held at Breitenbach Anderson Funeral home in Middletown Ohio. Visitation will be Saturday August 20, 2022 at 11:30 am and services will be at 12:30pm. Burial will be at Butler County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her name to Salvation Army, 1914 First Ave., Middletown, Ohio 45042.