Mary Olson Haas

Mary Ellen Olson Haas passed away on Saturday morning, July 14, 2018, in the loving arms of her husband of nearly 49 years, Paul Joseph Haas. Mary is survived by her husband, Paul, and daughters, Christine Frances and Jennifer Kay, and grandchildren: Rachel, Seth, Ethan, and Jolie.

Mary was born on February 13, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois to Theodore and Dorothy Olson. Raised by a mother who taught her she could do anything and be anyone; she was on one of the first women’s basketball teams at Steinmetz High School, studied chemistry at a time when women did not do that sort of thing, and never let anyone tell her what she could or could not do.

An avid learner all her life, Mary graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1968 with a degree in Education: Home Economics and Chemistry. Mary received a second bachelorette degree in Education from Kent State University in 1986 and a master’s degree in Education specializing in Computer Science from University of Akron in 1994.

In 1965, Mary and Paul met through a Pen Pal exchange program for active duty Vietnam servicemen organized by her sorority, Alpha Epsilon Pi. They corresponded for three years before meeting in person and on August 9, 1969, they were married, just six months after their first date.

One year after getting married, Paul and Mary began their home improvement “hobby” by building their first house in Macedonia, Ohio on Shepard Road. They bought the land from Paul’s father, pounded every nail, cut every 2x4, and painted every surface to create a loving home out of nothing. It was where they built not just a physical foundation of their home but the foundation of their lives and started a family.

Mary and Paul raised their children, Christine Frances and Jennifer Kay, in Macedonia, Ohio while Mary taught in the Akron City School System from 1986 to 1999. She made a difference to many students, especially those in the GRADS program for pregnant high school students. The GRADS program helped teenage mothers get a high school diploma and ensure that the child has a safe place to live. Mary was exceptional at reaching students that were hard to reach and found joy in helping students succeed.

Mary and Paul moved to California on more than one occasion. In 1987, they moved to Yorba Linda, remodeled the kitchen of their home, and then returned to Macedonia after the passing of Mary’s father less than one year later. Their second move out West was in 1998 when they moved to Oceanside as Mary battled breast cancer. In Oceanside, they laid deep roots, took on large remodeling projects, and formed close friendships with friends, neighbors, and fellow teachers.

Mary taught in the Oceanside school district from 2000 until she retired in 2011. She reached many students in her Foods and Nutrition class at Ocean Shores Alternative High School. At Clair Burgener Academy, she taught American History and the state adopted program, Reading 180. At Jefferson Middle School, she taught 7th grade mathematics (pre-Algebra).

Mary was a master at transforming an idea into something beautiful. Her mom taught her to sew when she was only 10 years old. She continued her mom’s love and tradition of sewing and was an accomplished seamstress. She made over 90% of her own clothing and sewed extensively for her daughters including Halloween costumes, school formal dresses, wedding dresses, and business suits. Mary was a talented seamstress who made patterns for her own original creations and surprised everyone except herself by reupholstering many pieces of furniture in their homes.

Mary’s love of learning crossed paths with her love of sewing in the last 15 years as she learned to embroider unique designs on garments she created.

Mary loved spending time with her grandchildren; Rachel, Ethan, Seth and Jolie.