Kathlyn Haffey. Our Mom died a few days ago, on Monday, June 27th. It was the end of a life only her kids can really pay homage to. Because her kids were her life.
A eulogy will begin at 10:15 AM prior to Mass. A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:30 AM at Saint Peter’s Catholic.
Kay Haffey was born in Brooklyn NY on Oct 24 1924 to Harry and Helen Williams. She attended Notre Dame College in Staten Island, earned a Masters Degree in Design from Columbia University, and finished a certificate program in fashion design from the New York Fashion Academy (then known as Traphagen School of Fashion). Well on her way to an exciting career, but then …
Vacationing with her parents at the Monomonock Inn in the late 40s she met her heart – a dashing young Marine officer just back from the war. His name was Gene Haffey and away they went on a 40-year adventure that took them back and forth across the U.S. twice, up and down the east coast numerous times, and finally to Beaufort, SC. And there they stayed, even after Gene’s retirement at Parris Island, and death in March of 1990.
The measure of our Mom’s life won’t be found in the form of books published, songs written, fortunes built, awards earned. Or positions held. Except for one. Mom. A Mom who devoted all of her life to shepherding 5 children through the maelstrom of military life. Through countless moves – sometimes every year. New neighborhoods, new schools, new friends. She was the constant, the warm shoulder, the familiar dinner, Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color on Sunday night. But only if we’d brushed our teeth. When we’d walk through the door of yet another new set of quarters after the first day of school on yet another new base she’d be there. “Hi Doll,” she would say, and each of us would feel we were her only child. She would hug, hold, listen, understand, dry tears, encourage. But the second days were easier. And with this foundation so, too, were the rest of our lives.
Even now, involved in the busy business of our own lives, we 5 always make time to be together, brothers and sisters, and best of friends. We raise our kids, who raise their own kids and through all of them and generations to come Mom’s hugs and “Hi Dolls” on first days of school reach down – as surely as if she were there. And this is the measure of our Mom’s life.
Kay is survived by her 5 children: William Haffey (LtCol, USMC, Ret) (Marianne), George Haffey (Cdr, USN, Ret) (Sharon), Terry Nix (Gary), Helen Cooke (Dawes), and Kathy Kilgore (Glen), 11 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. And counting.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Saint Jude’s Children Research Hospital, Post Office Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38105.
Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.