Gloria Haher

Gloria was born on March 5, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York to Gertrude Leon and Jess Herrada and went to join her Lord and Savior on January 28, 2023 at age 95. She was a child of the depression and grew up in a somewhat non-traditional family as her mother worked on Wall Street and her father worked in multiple jobs and took care of Mom. She was a woman ahead of her time going to Wagner College in New York and graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in chemistry. She met her future and beloved husband, Donald Haher, at college. Before getting married she used her chemistry background and gift of languages to translate scientific documents brought back from Nazi Germany. After getting married in 1952 Mom was excited to learn that Dad would be starting a new career with the “Foreign Service” (actually the Central Intelligence Agency) and they would be assigned to an oversees post. They moved to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka with 2 year stints back in the States in between. At every post Mom stayed busy raising their growing family and teaching ESOL, managing commissaries, learning the native language, managing household staff, entertaining foreign dignitaries while living in global hot spots. Our parents were letter writers and Mom kept the correspondence of their courtship through her life overseas and then here in Springfield. She switched to journaling about what was happening in her life and her family. Her friends from college kept in touch with a round robin letter. She wrote letters to family in Spain keeping her Spanish fresh. Then as a gift to us she typed these chronicles of her life on the computer and sent them to us. Mom was a lifelong Democrat who worked to better the community, the country and the world. She was a campaign worker, Aide and Campaign Manager to a member of the Virginia House of Representatives, active member of the League of Women Voters and dedicated poll worker being up at 5 am on Election Day. Her car was always easy to spot from all the political bumper stickers. Mom was constantly seeking knowledge and questioning why. She did the Washington Post crossword puzzle every day. Looking up the words she didn’t know. For the last 3 years one of her daughters have done it along with her at 3 pm through the use of modern technology. Church and her faith was an integral part of Mom. No matter where she was, she was involved with Bible Study, Christian Education, Vacation Bible School, Women’s Circles and Prayer Groups to name a few things. She faithfully met with a group of women every Monday morning and learned how to use her computer to live stream services on her computer. St. Mark’s has been her home church for many years and we thank all who have supported her during her time here. She is survived by her daughters Carol Casey (Rich), Jessica Haher, Janet Rawl (Rick) and Elizabeth Plummer (Dave). She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Randy, Ryan, Jas and Em. Gloria was an extraordinary, brilliant, loving woman of faith with many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 5800 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA 22150. Online memories may be posted on the Life Tributes Page for Gloria Haher at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, https://www.jeffersonfuneralchapel.com.

Tributes

Gloria Haher

March 5, 1927 - January 28, 2023