Joan Marie Haffer

1939 - 02

Joan Marie (Hale) Haffer died peacefully on February 20, 2024, at the Stansell House in Ocean Pines, MD. She was the first born to John and Alice Hale, at Columbia Hospital on February 22, 1939, in Washington, DC, where she grew up.
She graduated from Suitland High School in 1957, where she met and married her high school sweetheart, Robert Haffer in 1958. Together they raised four children, Wendy Fitzgerald (Kevin), Lori Tazelaar (deceased), Steve Haffer (Terri), Donna Haffer (Jeff). She was the oldest of seven children, survived by Hazel Allen, Robert Hale (Barbara), Neil Hale (Linda), Jackie Hale, Tina VanBrakle (Bryant), and John Hale, Jr. (deceased). She so enjoyed spending time with her 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Joan was adventurous, fun-loving, and maintained a childlike joy and always sought out new experiences. In short, she had guts and was a true inspiration to many. She embraced life fully, even bungee jumping off of a bridge in West Virginia in her 60's. Joan lived life to the fullest and did it all, first having four children as a stay-at-home mom. Later, she began a career as a flight scheduler for the Secretary of Navy Joint Andrews Air Force Base, where she retired. Later in life, she traveled the world with her devoted husband Bobby, of 65 years. She often took her children on her traveling adventures. She was the heart and soul of her family, which at times was like Grand Central Station at her home on the Indian River. There she enjoyed watching daily sunsets from her deck, cocktails with friends, boating, jet skiing and kayaking. She valued her friends and loved dancing with them. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, multiple bowling leagues, and Ocean City Line Dancers, who performed opening acts for Springfest and Sunfest in Ocean City. Joan will be loved and missed by all that knew her.
A funeral service will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home, 108 William St. Berlin, MD on Friday March 1 at 11 a.m. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home.