Mary Ellen Haney Obituary

Mary Ellen Haney, 98, a longtime resident of Rockford, IL, and a recent resident of assisted living home Jewel Estates in Lakewood, CO., (Denver Metro Area) passed away on June 4, 2025.

 Born in Peoria, IL, on June 7, 1926, to Harrison and Alta (Kaylor) Hasselbacher, she was a 1944 graduate of Peoria Central High School where she met her future husband Robert Edward Haney (deceased 2001). 

An avid reader, she also gave to charities far and wide and was trained in the very first group of volunteers at the Northern Illinois Hospice. 

She also was known for her wonderful lasagna and for being the “cookie” grandma.

In December of 1994 the National Hospice Organization Foundation recognized Mary Ellen for her continued support and dedication to hospice. She also served on the Northern Illinois Hospice Board of Directors. 

In 1972 she earned a degree from Rock Valley College in inhalation therapy and in the same year received a diploma as a respiratory therapist from St. Anthony Hospital. This led to her becoming the supervisor of the respiratory therapy department at St. Joseph Hospital in Belvidere, IL from 1972 to 1978. 

Mary Ellen was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford. She had many friends, liked participating in bridge clubs and regularly swam at the YMCA.

She moved to Denver in 2015 to be near family and lived at the Residences at University Hills before moving to assisted living in Lakewood. 

She is survived by son Gregory (Karin) Haney of Denver and grandsons Andrew (Jackie) Haney of Denver and Matthew (Suzanne Smerjac) Haney of Anchorage, AK, and daughter-in-law Cathy Van Riper of Seattle, WA, and grandson Eric Robert Van Riper Haney of Seattle. She also is survived by great-granddaughters Lena, Emma, Avery and Margot. She is predeceased by her husband Robert, her son Brad and brothers Sonny and Bob. 

The family wishes to thank caregivers Desiree, Kristi, LeeAnne and Joyce, all who took care of Mary Ellen with the Age With Grace agency in Denver, and Rose and other caregivers of GardensCare at Jewel Estates.