Margaret Jane “Maggie” Haner
March 7, 1926 - May 25, 2020
Margaret Jane “Maggie” Haner, age 94, of Newark, DE passed away on Monday, May 25, 2020.
Born in Venetia, PA on March 7, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Gilmore (Bickerton) Swagler. Maggie was a graduate of Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She also attended Los Angeles Pacific College in Los Angeles, CA receiving an Elementary Education Certificate as well as an Art Education Certificate from University of Delaware.
Maggie explored several careers over the years, first working as a secretary at the Theatre Guild and American Theatre Society, and later at Trans World Airlines in Pittsburgh, PA. She then became a third and fourth grade teacher at Bushnell Way School and Catskill School in the Los Angeles School District. Following her passion for art, Maggie taught an Artist-in-Residence program in Portugal. She spent four summers designing and conducting art workshops in painting, ceramics, stitchery and jewelry making. Maggie later began teaching art at The Tatnall School in Wilmington.
Maggie was a member of the Art Educators of Delaware and the International Society for Education through Art. She also participated in the Exchange Council for the exchange of children’s art between the United States and Russia. Maggie was on the Jr. Board of Christiana Hospital and enjoyed volunteering for Meals on Wheels.
In addition to her parents, Margaret was preceded in death by her son, Mark Haner; and brothers, Robert Swagler and John Swagler. She is survived by her daughter, M. Lynn Haner of Denver, CO; grandson, Bill Haner; and nieces, Christine Sondej (Rick) and Roberta O’Brien (Michael).
All services will be held privately.
lorraine Kandra
I will miss her. She always had a smile on her face and never complained. She was a lovely lady
diane reynolds
Maggie and I met at The Tatnall School where we collaborated on May Day for 9 years. We ended up being friends for 43 years. I loved Maggie; she was intelligent, thoughtful and oh, so kind. I will miss her terribly.
Lauri Hagan
Maggie was a delightful neighbor and will missed by John and I. We would like to extend our condolences to her family.
Constance Kirker
Maggie Haner was my first “adult” friend – we met just as I was married and moved to Delaware for me first teaching job at The Tatnall School in 1974. She so inspired me as a teacher but even more so as a woman who survived adversity and even thrived. I to this day reference her ability to be a fabulous hostess and credit her for inventing the open concept kitchen entertaining space so she could cook and entertain at the same time. We taught art and igether but also made Santa Claus figures for fun and profit. I have kept in touch with Maggie all these years and have a fabulous photo of the 2 of us at an edible flower dinner at the Brandywine River Museum in the summer of 2018. She remains a model to me of how ones life should be lived. My prayers are with Bill and Lynn and all the wonderful friends she always maintained. I loved her. Connie Kirker
Phyllis Adams
The Junior Board of Christiana Care extends its sincere sympathy on the loss of your mother and grandmother. Maggie was an Emeritus member of our organization, and we are thankful for her years of volunteer service and commitment to the Junior Board.
In her memory, a donation will be made to our Memorial Fund. These funds are used to support various projects throughout Christiana Care.
Phyllis Adams for the Junior Board
Carol Mentzer
I loved Maggie from the first day I met her in the fall of 1972. A most compassionate person, she and I stayed connected until only a few days before she passed. We had lunch together often for holidays and birthdays each year. I recall her taking me to Philadelphia to see the movie, “A River Runs Through It.” Maggie was a very special person whose generosity was endless. I miss her very much. Love to all of her family.
Carol Mentzer
Bonnie A. DelBoca
I am just learning about Maggie’s passing. Margie and her brothers John and Bob were My second cousins. I last was with Maggie and her then husband when her husband was working in Portugal back in 1971. I was in my 20s and exploring Europe, hitch hiking, for seven months. Mark, their son was very young and that was the only time I
met Mark. My memories of Margie span back to the 1950s. Margie had a Thunderbird convertible. Margie took me for a ride and the tune Que Sera Sera by Doris Day was playing loudly on the radio…. This event took place on the family farm in Scenery Hill, Pa. I will never forget those days. Margie was a true inspiration for me as I was a
young teenager. I have been searching for Margie ever since. My condolences go to her children, grandchildren and beyond. I hope one of her children will reach out to me and my sister Darlyn so we can get to know one another. My email is included with my guestbook entry. Que Sera Sera Maggie and her son Mark….. Love, Bonnie DelBoca