Marie Eleanor Haff

Marie Eleanor Haff
June 29, 1917 - March 12, 2013
Resident of Pleasanton
Marie Eleanor Haff, a third generation San Franciscan, passed away at the age of 95, after a long illness. She formerly resided in Burlingame, CA where her family moved in 1923 from San Francisco, where she was born. She was proud to be a member of the first graduating class of Mercy High School in Burlingame, and was a member of the Alumnae Association where she was a recipient of Sister of Mercy Outstanding Alumnae Woman of the Year. In recent years, since her retirement, she lived in Pleasanton, CA. and was a member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church.
She is the mother of Lee Mercer (Bob Sutter), Kathy Ruckteschlerm (Lance), Terry Lembi and the Grandmother of Shelley Despotakis, Chuck Mercer, Jeff Ruckteschler, Jason Ruckteschler, Lori Gibson, Staci Navarreta, Nicole O'Shea, Jackie Hart and Danielle Lembi, and the great-grandmother of 13.
She was Manager of the Credit Bureau of San Mateo and Burlingame and was active in the field of Credit for over 60 years. She held the post of Executive Secretary of Associated Credit Bureau of California, and served as a District and National Association Director with headquarters in Washington, D.C. She also served as Trustee Emeritus of Western Management Institute of Washington, D.C. and served as an instructor, Trustee, Director and Dean at the University of Santa Clara.
Marie was the the former President of Soroptimist Club of San Mateo and Burlingame and was the Founder and Director of the Credit Women's Club of San Mateo County. Marie served as a volunteer for many local charities and civic groups and was a supporter of single mother, Parents without Partners and Battered Women.
She was preceded in death by her former husband Donald Haff, her mother Mame McDevitt Heckenkemper and her father Herman Heckenkemper, her loving sister Anita Tocchini and her husband Dr. John Tocchini, and her son-in law, Don Lembi. Marie lived a full and happy life she enjoyed with family and friends and was a generous, kind and loving woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 22, 2013, 10:00 am at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, 3999 Bernal Ave., Pleasanton. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Vitas Innovative Hospice Care 355 Lennon Lane #150, Walnut Creek, CA 94598.