Margaret "Maggie" M. Haas

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Margaret “Maggie” M. Haas, who passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, at the age of 52.

Born in Chicago, raised in Glenwood, Illinois, and a longtime resident of Whiting, Indiana, Maggie built a successful career in the financial industry, spending the last 14 years in appraisal processing after many years in other financial roles. While she took pride in her work, those who knew Maggie understood that her true life’s work wasn’t found in an office. It was found in the countless lives she touched through kindness, generosity, and unwavering friendship.

To know Maggie was to know someone who loved deeply and without reservation.

If someone was cold, she brought a blanket. If someone was having a bad week, she’d show up with a thoughtful surprise. If there was an occasion, she’d make a goodie bag. If there wasn’t an occasion... she’d probably make one anyway.

Her famous goodie bags became legendary among her friends. No holiday, birthday, vacation, or random Tuesday was too small to deserve a thoughtful collection of little gifts that somehow always made people smile. She had an extraordinary ability to notice what people needed, often before they knew themselves, and she made it her mission to ensure the people she loved felt cared for, celebrated, and never alone.

Maggie believed life was meant to be shared. She was happiest planning adventures, organizing gatherings, and creating memories with the people she loved: a road trip to Michigan, a day exploring wineries, an evening at a concert, relaxing on the beach, hosting game nights, or simply finding another reason to get everyone together.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: reading a good book, watching cheesy movies and Hallmark favorites, crafting, and cooking meals for those she loved. She sang along to 80s and country music, admired Audrey Hepburn, Harry Connick Jr., and, yes, Chris Pine, and proudly embraced her Irish heritage, never passing up the chance to enjoy a glass of Jameson with good friends and even better conversation. She also had an unmistakable sense of style, carefully coordinating everything from her glasses and outfits to her purse and shoes, and she never met a pair of Converse she didn't love. She also appreciated Earl Grey tea, peach mimosas, steak dinners, pork chops, bacon, tres leches cake (from Calumet Bakery, of course), and collecting more pens than anyone could reasonably justify. She loved Amazon deliveries almost as much as she loved surprising someone else with what was inside them.

She adored the company of others. Over the years she participated in and organized several Bunco and activity groups, welcoming both lifelong friends and new faces around the table. She also treasured her time with the Winos, where wine, laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories were always in generous supply.

Maggie was preceded in death by her loving parents, Margaret and Raymond Haas. She is survived by her siblings, Donna, Mike, and Bill; her beloved nephew, Christian; her niece, Madison; and by an extraordinary circle of friends who became the family she chose. Those friendships were among Maggie’s greatest treasures. They were the people she celebrated with, traveled with, laughed with, leaned on, and loved wholeheartedly. If Maggie loved you, you never had to wonder. She made sure you knew.

Maggie’s kindness was never loud or performative. It was found in the little things: remembering someone’s favorite candy, planning a road trip months in advance, checking in after a difficult day, or quietly making sure everyone had what they needed before thinking of herself. She taught those around her that love is best shown through thoughtful actions, and those acts of kindness became the hallmark of a life beautifully lived.

A Mass celebrating Maggie’s life will be held at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 500 Northgate Drive in Dyer, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 10 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life Luncheon immediately after, where all who knew and loved her are invited to gather, share stories, laugh, cry, and celebrate the remarkable woman who made so many lives brighter.

In lieu of flowers or donations, those wishing to honor Maggie’s memory are encouraged to perform a simple act of kindness. Surprise someone with a small gift, leave flowers on a neighbor’s porch, invite an old friend to lunch, or create a “Maggie-style” goodie bag for someone who could use a reminder that they are loved. There could be no more fitting tribute to a woman who spent her life making others feel seen.

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