Marion B. Haight, A Rhinebeck Resident, Dies at 100

Marion B. Haight, 100 years, 5 months and 25 days, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2017 at the Baptist Home Facility in Rhinebeck, with her family by her side. Marion was the matriarch of the Haight family and was affectionately known as Ma, Mother, Gram, Magee, Aunt Marion and, from the old 7th ward neighborhood, as Mrs. Haight.
Marion was born at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, on September 17, 1916, to Mary Murray Brown and John W. Brown. Marion was a Class of 1934 graduate of Poughkeepsie High School and Class of 1938 graduate of the Hudson River State Hospital School of Nursing. Marion began her career at the Hudson River State Hospital and with Direct Patient Care. Nursing was the professional core of Marion’s life and she was very proud that she was trained during the pre-penicillin era of healthcare. In 1961, Marion began working with Dr. Vincent Catalano as his first, and for some time, his only employee, when he opened his oral surgery and dentistry practice in Poughkeepsie. The two worked side by side, through thick and thin, for 21 years, until Marion retired from nursing in 1982. Dr. Catalano and his wife Francis remained close friends with Marion until the very end. Marion and Dr. Catalano shared an impenetrable bond based on mutual admiration for their careers together.
Commitment to the practice of nursing was only to be trumped by Marion’s passion for her family and her one and only love, her husband Herbie. Herbert J. Haight predeceased Marion on March 9, 1969 after twenty-nine years of marriage and raising their 3 devoted boys.
Marion is survived by her sons and daughters in law; John Haight and his wife Cheryl, Tom Haight and his wife Sue, Charlie Haight and his wife Susan. In addition, Marion is survived by her grandchildren and great grandchildren; Kevin Haight, his wife Traci and their daughter, Delaney, Jeffrey Haight, his wife Alison and their children Claudia and Colin, Erik Haight and his wife Amy, Meghan Guion, her husband Jim and their son James Thomas, Brian Haight, his girlfriend Terra and their son Reef Patrick, Sarah Crowley, her husband Michael and their son Calvin, and Andrew Haight, his wife Mavia and their twins Augie and Enid. Marion was predeceased by her siblings; her infant brother James Brown, “Old Uncle” John Brown, sister Barbara Hicks, and daughter in law, Carol A. Cappillino Haight.
Marion is also survived by her dearest and closest friend of 82 years, Grace Edna Freer. Marion and Edna attended nursing school together, raised their families together, mourned the loss of their husbands together and were always there for each other in the happiest and saddest of times. Marion and Edna turned 100 years old just 10 days apart.
In addition to Edna, Marion is survived by Edna’s loving daughter Barbara Jean, many adoring nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Marion is the last of her generation of Haights and she loved Herbie’s siblings, and their spouses, like brothers and sisters of her own.
Marion was a devout Catholic and lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Poughkeepsie where she attended grade school, received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick. Marion volunteered thousands of hours to St. Mary’s in the “Potpourri” second hand shop and, until her health prevented it, never missed weekly services.
For the care and thoughtfulness Marion received over the years, the family wishes to extend special thanks to the nursing staff and caretakers of Wing B at the Baptist Home in Rhinebeck. Their patience, sense of humor and dignity bestowed on their fellow nurse is appreciated more than they will ever know.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in Marion’s name, to The Hudson River State Hospital Nurse Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 23 Miller Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 c/o Thomas Haight.
Visitation will be Friday, March 17, 2017, 3-7 PM at the Joseph J. Darrow.,Sr. F.H.,Inc.,39 So. Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 10 AM in St. Mary's Church, 231 Church St., Poughkeepsie, NY. Burial will follow in the family plot in St. Peter's Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of WM. G. Miller & Son F.H., Inc., 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie NY 12603.
For condolences please visit, www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com