Catherine Leslie Haag

Catherine Haag, 73, died peacefully at home on March 8, 2022 with her caring and loving husband at her side. She was born November 24, 1948, in Oregon. Catherine graduated from Poway High School and finished her college studies at SDSU with a Master’s Degree in Business. Her professional career included owning her own computer software business and spending her later career years as a professor at Palomar College for the Business Department. She became well known for her teaching skills. Every semester, her classes were filled to capacity. Twice she was nominated for Teacher of the Year.

Cathy’s favorite pastime was gardening. She spent many hours daily tending her vegetables, fruit trees, berry bushes and flowers. She generously shared the results of her labors and the neighbors looked forward to her weekly bags of goodies.

In 1980, Catherine married Thomas Haag and they celebrated 42 years of marriage in January this year. They lived in different homes in North County San Diego in Rancho Bernardo, Poway and finally in Oceanside. Together, they loved to travel. They journeyed the world- to China, New Zealand, Cuba, South Africa, and all over Europe, especially to France to visit the Péharprés, Cathy’s host family when she lived in Paris as a 20-year-old. Cathy also travelled with Sylvie, the Péharprés’ daughter and very close friend, to India, Morocco, Thailand, Cambodia.

In addition to her parents Leslie and Elizabeth (Collins) Merrill, Cathy was predeceased by her son, Brian Kelley. Surviving in addition to her husband, Thomas Haag, are her first husband Ken Kelley (father of Brian Kelley): brother Brad Merrill: stepdaughter Stephanie Fair and husband Steve Fair; stepson Geoffrey Haag; grandchild, Ashley Fair. Catherine and Ashley had a very special relationship. Ashley and Catherine (aka Grammy) spent countless hours discussing life and its challenges.

Catherine was a bright, thoughtful and caring person with a persistent spirit of adventure. A great listener for her friends. She treated people with respect and let individuals know when their actions or comments towards others were unacceptable. Her cancer tormented her for eight years but she put up a courageous fight to the end. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and neighbors. Her captivating smile will never be forgotten. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year.

Those who wish to remember Catherine in a special way are asked to make a donation in her memory to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at MMRF.org.

A Celebration of Life will be held later this year.