Mary Stewart Hafer

Mary Stewart Hafer of Lexington, MA, formerly of Bedford, MA, died 16 August 2025 in a nearby hospital.

Mary was born 7 September 1924 in Newburgh, NY, the daughter of Thomas Archibald “Archie” Stewart and Mary Warden Stewart.  She graduated from Swarthmore College in 1945 with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.  She worked briefly as a chemist at the Bartol Foundation.  In 1968, she earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from Simmons College, which she put to good use in the Bedford Library.

On 8 June 1946, she married newly graduated West Point cadet Frederick L. Hafer.  Their marriage lasted nearly 70 years until his death in 2016.  Three children were born of their marriage: Thomas Frederick Hafer, John Stewart Hafer and Abigail Ann “Abby” Hafer.  Mary was predeceased by her son John in 2005 and her daughter Abby in 2025.

She is survived by her son Thomas (Ann) and her son-in-law Alan MacRobert (husband of Abby).  She is also survived by five grandchildren: William Thomas Hafer (Kristy Feng), Virginia Hafer Goodwin (Justin). Moira Hafer Zbella (Andrew), Lucy MacRobert Greenwood and Andrew MacRobert (Jackie) and by six great-grandchildren.

The town of Bedford, MA, named her Citizen of the Year in 1988 in recognition of her work for the Job Lane House and the Bedford Historical Society.  She was also active with the deCordova Museum and the Museum of Science.

Mary led the Stewart family’s campaign to preserve the name of Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY.  In 1930, Mary’s father, Archie Stewart, had persuaded his uncle, Samuel Stewart, to donate land to the city of Newburgh for an airport, Stewart Field.  During World War II, the Army used Stewart Field to train West Point cadets to be pilots.  After the war, it became Stewart Air Force Base, which became the controlling base for the Boston Air Defense Sector.  After the AFB’s decommissioning, Archie pursued his vision of a real airport for the city of Newburgh.  In 1990, Stewart International Airport welcomed its first commercial airline passenger flights.  Mary, her parents and their family were the guests of American Airlines on the inaugural flight.  In 2004, airport management announced plans to change the name.  Mary, Tom and Abby organized local and national support to keep Stewart in the name.  Today it is New York Stewart International Airport.  SWF remains its FAA call sign.

Private services are planned, for those who wish to join the services virtually on Friday, August 29, at 3:00 PM, visit the Zoom link below: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89355280915?pwd=5O7qjeeyiL1bw02tU57IX7eTF7ZtLe.1 Meeting ID: 893 5528 0915Passcode: 013791

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, MA 02114.