Ann Williams Haley

Ann Williams Haley, 88, passed away at home on October 5, 2021, with family. She was born November 2, 1932, in Greenfield, IN to George and Opal Williams.

The family moved to Independence, MO, and Ann graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, MO. Ann attended Baker University and joined Alpha Chi Omega. She married her high school sweetheart, Ernest P. Haley on June 6, 1953. In the Air force, Ernie was stationed in Illinois, Ann completed her degree at the University of Illinois in 1955. They moved to Lawrence, KS. While Ernie attended KU on the GI Bill, Ann taught elementary school in Tonganoxie and then Lawrence.

Though she was diagnosed with Lupus in 1962, she was an active supporter of her children participating in PTO, Aquahawks, and Scouts. Later as a homemaker who was motivated to encourage children to succeed, she returned to KU and earned her master’s degree in education in 1982. In her thesis, she took children with reading problems, taught them to swim and at the conclusion of her swimming program their reading skills improved.
She was active in the Garden Club, Ventura, Quilting Club, AXO alumnae, bridge groups, Trinity Episcopal Church, and later St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.

Ann was happily married for 47 years before Ernie’s death in 2001. Ann was a generous, fun-loving, positive person and a friend to all. A woman of great faith and optimism, her unconditional love for her family and her universal kindness were her trademarks.

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister, Sue Haner, and her brother-in-law Eugene Haley. Ann is survived by her daughter, Jan Haley Maxwell (Robert) and her three sons, Shawn Haley (Debbie), Peter Haley (Joanie), and Christopher Haley (Taryn). Ann has seven grandchildren George (Yuanting) Maxwell, Allison (Jake) Hibler, Nicholas Haley, Rachel Haley, Sarah (Matt) Tredway, Blake Haley and Cayden Haley. She has four great-grandchildren – Arya, Benjamin, Claire, and Clark. Her sister-in-law Betty Jo Haley survives, also. The family thanks the Midland Hospice staff for their loving care in the final weeks.

Visitation will occur on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from 6:00 ~ 8:00 pm, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS, 66044. Funeral services will be held at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 5700 W 6th Street, Lawrence, KS 66049 on Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at 10:00 am. Burial services will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in the family plot in Webb City, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret’s Episcopal church or Omicron Alumnae Association of Alpha Chi Omega and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

12 Condolences

  1. Andrew Coleman on October 6, 2021 at 3:37 pm

    So sorry for your loss. Your mom was a great friend to the Coleman family, especially my mother Mary Jo. I always like how pleasant and understanding Mrs. Haley was to all of us as children! Haley Boys, hang in there!



  2. jon Francis on October 6, 2021 at 11:35 pm

    I loved your mom. She was extremely caring and patient. I remember I was between 8-10 and she drove us home from a swim meet in Springfield. Everyone fell asleep and we talked the whole way home. Just the two of us talking for three hours. At that age, I doubt I had anything intelligent to say, but she listened like I was the most important person in the world. I’ll never forget that. Your mom was a special person. Our deepest condolences from the Francis family.



  3. Sandra Reed on October 8, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    Pete and Family,
    I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.



  4. Cathy Ebmeier on October 8, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    I was very sorry to hear about your mom’s passing, She was a precious lady, full of life and her smile was infectious. I knew her through St. Margaret’s altar guild and just activities there in general. I will not be able to attend her memorial service because I will be in South Carolina, but I wanted you to know I’m thinking of your family with good thoughts at this most difficult of times.



  5. Mary Margaret Rowen on October 8, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    I always enjoyed my association of Ann through Green Thumb Garden Club.



  6. Garth and Judy Berg on October 8, 2021 at 7:32 pm

    Pete & joanie: so very sorry for your loss. We love you guys. We send our heartfelt sympathies.



  7. Barb on October 9, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    I have fond memories of going to Independence with Ann and to her mom’s home and shop. Tradition had it that Ann accept “going home money” for safe travels. She and Ernie took some lovely hilly land and made it into a beautiful homesite accessed by a bridge and winding road. I remember the laughs and the flowers planted everywhere and Ann’s sweet smiles. Barb Bishop



  8. Cindy Adcock on October 10, 2021 at 8:00 am

    Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Your Mother was a wonderful role model for her Omicron Sisters.



  9. Bonnie Johnston on October 11, 2021 at 8:27 am

    So sorry to hear of your Mom’s death. I remember Ann as such a kind, positive person with a wonderful smile on her face. I remember her most through my early years on Altar Guild at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church. I have thought of her often in the last few years when it was difficult for her to attend church.



  10. Rita I McGrew on October 11, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    Dear Pete and Joanie, Shawn and Debbie, and all the Haley family,
    I was so sorry to hear of your Mothers death. Ann was a sweet lady and a friend whom I met at St. Margaret’s Church. She was easy to talk to, and had great motherly wisdom to share. She was so proud of her kids and their accomplishments. She highly encouraged swimming as an extracurricular that could help kids read better, and I took her advice to heart, and had my kids swimming early, and often. It really worked!
    She was so proud of her children, and she deeply loved and enjoyed her grandchildren. She has left a wonderful legacy in all the Haleys.
    I know you all will miss her so much. I am glad to have known her.
    Blessings to you all,
    Rita Lindsey McGrew



  11. Pat Grzenda on October 12, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    Pete and the whole Haley Family! I was sorry to hear of Ann’s passing. She was a lovely woman and I was lucky to know her. She was truly full of optimism and she had a smile for everyone. I know she was a founding member of the Lawrence Aquahawks and was part of the group who lobbied the school district to build a pool at Lawrence High School. I was fortunate to be able to tell her thank you for that. She was just a dandy and I will miss her.



  12. Mary LeGresley on October 21, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    Pete and Joanie,

    I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.



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