Marie Christine Haney

Marie Christine Haney (née Paul), age 87, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, in Parkville, Maryland. She lived a life marked by creativity, generosity, and resilience.

Born on February 25, 1938, in the charming town of Angouleme, France, Marie Christine's early years were woven into a moment in history that demanded courage and inner strength. Deeply rooted in the culture and spirit of France, a country she loved dearly, those formative experiences shaped the perseverance and quiet strength that would define her for the rest of her life.

After receiving a certificate in English from the University of Cambridge through the LTC Ladies' College of England, she began working as a teacher and interpreter for the French military.

Marie Christine's love story began when she met James Dee Haney, a young American military officer stationed abroad. Fluent in French and proud of her heritage, she taught him, and other members of the United States Army, her native language. Their connection grew quickly, and just three months later, they married. She began a new life far away from her home country, bringing her culture and warmth wherever she went.

Together, Marie Christine and Dee devoted 20 years to military service, traveling across continents and sharing a lifetime of adventure, service, and commitment. They were stationed twice in Germany, as well as Arizona, California, Taiwan, Michigan, Virginia and Maryland.

She is lovingly survived by her children, Tony Haney (Liz), Natalie Haney (Sara Roberson), and Trish Van Note (Chris). She is remembered by her cherished grandchildren, who brought her immense joy: Eric and Valerie Haney and Nathan and Max Van Note. She also leaves behind her beloved sister Miluce Rodriguez Vazquez, sister Beatrice Paul and brother Jean-Yves Paul. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lucie Paul and her husband of 56 years, James Dee Haney.

Marie Christine embraced life with warmth and enthusiasm. Whether she was staying in or heading out with friends, she always dressed and accessorized with "main-character energy"- stylish, confident, and entirely herself. Her many hobbies include gardening, reading, international travel, cross-country skiing, playing bridge, cooking, entertaining, knitting, quilting, painting, and adding to her collections of hotel silver and Quimper pottery.

She was the quintessential hostess, taking great pride in her tablescapes and menus. Her cuisine was legendary - infused with the rich flavors of her heritage and the places she'd lived. Some of her best-known dishes include chicken a la creme, almond chicken, escargot, and her beautifully crafted buche de Noel.

She was the happiest when spending time in a friend's garden, enjoying a family get-together, hosting friends for a homemade meal, decorating for Christmas, dining on oysters, or shopping for fashionable shoes and clothes. It brought her joy to bring comfort to others, often through homemade soups, baked goods, or hand-arranged flowers delivered with love to her friends and family.

Marie Christine's legacy lives on through the family she loved and the countless lives she touched with her kindness, humor and zest for life. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her. Her family will forever smile at the memory of her unmistakable French accent and the amusing twists she gave to English words.

We imagine her now walking through a blooming garden in the French countryside, a gentle breeze in her hair, and the light in her eyes as bright as ever, finally at rest, and endlessly free. Rest easy mon petit chou chou.

A private celebration of her life will be held this fall, with family in attendance. Marie Christine will be laid to rest next year at Arlington National Cemetery, a place of honor that reflects the life of service and love she shared with her husband.