Maria Croxton Walther Haff
August 22, 1924 ~ October 20, 2019
Maria (Croxton) (Walther) Haff passed peacefully on to eternal rest on Sunday, October 20, 2019. She died in the presence of her two loving sons, Bill and Bruce, at Sunrise at Hunter Mill in Oakton, VA. Maria turned 95 on August 22, 2019. She was born in 1924, in West Point, VA, and was the youngest of five girls, Ann, Julie, Sophie, Trudy and Maria. Her father, William Croxton, died when Maria was twelve, and her mother, Sophie, took her daughters and moved to Williamsburg, VA. Maria was able to witness the development of Colonial Williamsburg over the years, as they lived only a few blocks from the site.
Maria attended William and Mary then began a nursing program in Richmond. Nursing took a backseat as her life took another turn at 19, and she married an Army officer, Lt. H. Edgar Walther, Jr. Ed was heading to the Philippines during World War II and Maria’s minister advised her to wait until Ed returned from the war to get married, but she refused to wait. Ed returned at the end of the war, and in the years following they had two sons, William and Bruce, and took up residence in Ardmore.
When the boys were young, Ed developed multiple sclerosis. Although he continued to work, he needed a lot of assistance. Maria became adept at using a Hoyer lift by herself, and also decided to finish her nursing degree. She became a student at Lankenau Hospital School of Nursing near Philadelphia, and graduated as an RN in 1959. She subsequently worked at Lankenau Hospital for years, working on NASA research projects.
Ed died in 1994. Maria was retired at this point in her life. An old family friend entered her life after Ed’s death. Maria married for a second time. Her minister advised her to wait a while in getting married, so soon after being widowed, but Maria had a different idea. She and Richard Haff were married in 1995.
Maria and Dick traveled the world, going on safaris in South Africa, touring Ireland, China, Thailand, the Galapagos, Japan and other places. They were very active with travel between their homes in Villanova, PA and Lamoine, ME, in addition to their frequent overseas trips.
At the age of 90, Maria was starting to have trouble coping with travelling long distances. Dementia began, and the last two years of Maria’s life were spent at Sunrise of Hunter Mill, with their memory-care community. Their wonderful care contributed so much to keeping Maria secure and loved in her final years. We thank them for this. Thank you to Capital Caring Hospice, which helped make the transition from this life to the next comfortable.
In addition to her two sons, Maria is survived by her husband, Dick Haff, four grandchildren, Josh, Chris, Ed, Emma Walther, and five great-grandchildren, Blake, Bryce, Logan, Annabelle, and Abigail Walther.
Services to be held at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, VA on Sunday, October 27 at 1:30 p.m.. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Maria attended William and Mary then began a nursing program in Richmond. Nursing took a backseat as her life took another turn at 19, and she married an Army officer, Lt. H. Edgar Walther, Jr. Ed was heading to the Philippines during World War II and Maria’s minister advised her to wait until Ed returned from the war to get married, but she refused to wait. Ed returned at the end of the war, and in the years following they had two sons, William and Bruce, and took up residence in Ardmore.
When the boys were young, Ed developed multiple sclerosis. Although he continued to work, he needed a lot of assistance. Maria became adept at using a Hoyer lift by herself, and also decided to finish her nursing degree. She became a student at Lankenau Hospital School of Nursing near Philadelphia, and graduated as an RN in 1959. She subsequently worked at Lankenau Hospital for years, working on NASA research projects.
Ed died in 1994. Maria was retired at this point in her life. An old family friend entered her life after Ed’s death. Maria married for a second time. Her minister advised her to wait a while in getting married, so soon after being widowed, but Maria had a different idea. She and Richard Haff were married in 1995.
Maria and Dick traveled the world, going on safaris in South Africa, touring Ireland, China, Thailand, the Galapagos, Japan and other places. They were very active with travel between their homes in Villanova, PA and Lamoine, ME, in addition to their frequent overseas trips.
At the age of 90, Maria was starting to have trouble coping with travelling long distances. Dementia began, and the last two years of Maria’s life were spent at Sunrise of Hunter Mill, with their memory-care community. Their wonderful care contributed so much to keeping Maria secure and loved in her final years. We thank them for this. Thank you to Capital Caring Hospice, which helped make the transition from this life to the next comfortable.
In addition to her two sons, Maria is survived by her husband, Dick Haff, four grandchildren, Josh, Chris, Ed, Emma Walther, and five great-grandchildren, Blake, Bryce, Logan, Annabelle, and Abigail Walther.
Services to be held at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna, VA on Sunday, October 27 at 1:30 p.m.. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
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I have fond memories of spending time at the Walther’s home; sometimes overnight and other times shooting pool in the basment with Bruce. Mrs.Walther was a kind woman who never made a fuss over how many boys showed up and tramped up and down the stairs. She allowed us to gather, play and eat with no questions asked. For me that was unusual and I still thank her for that hospitality. Gerry Alsentzer
Well written Gerry. You were spot on! She was a wonderful woman and will be sorely missed!
Maria was my mother-in-law Anne’s sister, and she was the last of the wonderful Croxton sisters. I knew her from various family reunions and from her wonderful 90th birthday party in Maine. She was always gracious and lots of fun. She will certainly be missed. Rest in peace, Maria.
Ria, one of the best memories of my life is when you cried with joy the first time I called you “Mom”. You were truly the best “Mom” I ever had and I will keep you in my heart forever. May you rest in peace dear lady.
When I think of Aunt Ria I always remember her smile, kindness, and sweetness from her core. I loved her to pieces. I feel so lucky to have had such amazing Aunts in my life. I loved them all and told each one they were my favorite Aunt (when in actuality they were all my favorites): Aunt Louise, Aunt Mike, Aunt Ham, and Aunt Ria. They were all loving and beautiful (inside and out) role models for such a shy youngster and young adult as me. Aunt Ria always treated me with respect, like an adult, and wanted to know what I was up to, how was school, the job, or what I was working on. I fondly remember our real conversations at so many family get-togethers. One of my favorite memories of Aunt Ria was sharing an adventure with her and Aunt Mike in Venezuela when we visited Hato el Cedral and Henri Pittier National Park in January 1993. Clay & I were the leaders of this NJ Audubon trip and Aunt Ria came too to keep an eye on Mike. And it is a good thing, especially when Aunt Mike turned her hearing aids off and went running down a road after a Giant Anteater. Ria played a big role in keeping Aunt Mike in check! After that trip I got each of us a “Beanie Baby” Giant Anteater and cherish it and the memories of that trip to this day and always. Aunt Ria will always be in my heart. Patricia Taylor Sutton Cape May Court House, NJ
It was a sad moment when I heard about the passing of Bill and Bruce’s Mom. She was the “the salt of the earth” and I am very glad that she has passed my way. Bill, Bruce, and I all grew up together, but became good pals in high school. Definitely echo Gerry’s thoughts, about playing pool over at their house, on 416 E. Spring Ave. We had a lot of fun! Evan Jones was there, along with Roger Briskin, who we lost in Vietnam. Those were the days, with the little Cocker Spaniel, Lady, running outside. Mrs. Walther trusted us to be on our best behavior, and sure enough we obliged. Below is a photo I took when the Walther’s invited me over for a nice dinner. Sorry to have cut Mr. Walther out of the photo, but his Mom, “Granny” is seated next to his wife and “Jan,” Mrs. Walther’s Mom, is seated near her husband. At some point, my folks, bought an Old English Sheepdog puppy and guess who is giving him a hug. Time marched on, and we all went to college and began our careers. We invited the Walther’s to our wedding and they all came. My Dad was my best Man and he got up for a toast and started talking about Nixon, in a good way. Well, I was shocked to say the least, but we all laughed whenever we got together. Living in Florida, my wife and I came home and always made a point to visit Mr. & Mrs. Walther, at their home on Montgomery Ave. The pool table was still being used. We used to sit and discuss politics and the news of the days. Those were good times. We used to send Christmas cards and, in later years, enjoyed seeing photos of her travels. Oh yes, we will always remember Mrs. Walther. She had, style, grace, and real Southern charm. Our final meeting was when Mr. & Mrs. Haff, went out for dinner with us, years ago. It was a delight, then going back to their home and meeting Shawn, their beautiful Soft Haired Wheaten Terrier, pictured below. My thoughts and prayers are with family and everyone who knew Mrs. Walther. Be blessed! Marc Walther (ironic, but not related)