Mary Ann HabaValley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima Mary Ann Haba, 81 of Yakima, passed away Fri., Jan 6, 2012 at Willow Springs Care Center. Mary was born May 16, 1930 to the late Martin & Agnes (Zdeb) Haba in Carrington, ND. She moved to a farm on Waneta Road in Grandview, WA in 1936. Mary attended eight grades at Waneta School, graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1948 and then graduated from college at CWCE in Ellensburg in 1952. Mary began her teaching career in Granger, WA in 1952. She then spent the rest of her teaching career in the Toppenish School District. At Toppenish High she taught Physical Education and coached cheerleading, Tennis and drill teams. She retired the first time from Toppenish HS in 1982, but went back to work at Toppenish Jr. High, and retired a second time in 1984. Mary went back to work a third time teaching intermediate grades at Lincoln Elementary in Toppenish and retired finally for the last time in 2003. She was awarded “Educator of the Year” by the Toppenish Chamber of Commerce in 1987. “Miss Haba” taught so many students during her time as a teacher, often teaching 3 generations of families. Mary was a member of the Business & Professional Women’s Club, Women’s Republican Club of Toppenish, and the Soroptimist Club. She enjoyed fishing, golf, traveling, reading and gardening. In 1991, Mary moved to Yakima to the Broadmoor Sr. Mobile Park where she became very active in organizing activities for the residents. She is survived by brothers Henry Haba of Seattle and Martin Haba of Somis, CA; three sisters, Amelia Waliser of Carrington, ND, Helen Beard of Moorpark, CA and Lorraine Bell of Santa Barbara, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Yakima. Valley Hills Funeral Home, Yakima, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and comments can be recorded at www.mary-ann-haba.forevermissed.com .