Dorothy Jean Haas

Dorothy (Dottie) Jean Haas (88) passed away peacefully of cancer on December 28th in the arms of her elder son, Bob. Dorothy was born to Thomas and Mary Krenek in Berwyn (Chicago), Illinois, on May 3rd, 1927. She was of 1st and 2nd generation of Czech heritage. Having graduated from J. Sterling Morton High School in 1945, she attended Morton Jr. College for one year; transferred to Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where she became a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority; graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education in June, 1949. A roommate at Miami University introduced her to Donald Haas, a nuclear physicist, who worked in Miamisburg. They were married in July, 1949 and moved to North Canton when Don's job took him to Goodyear Aircraft. She spent four years teaching at the Akron Local High School and Greensburg High School in the Dayton and Akron areas, before she took time off to start a family. In 1959 she moved to Forest Park, (Cincinnati) Ohio. After hearing JFK's appeal for teachers, she joined the Finneytown High School staff in 1968 and spent the next 28.5 years teaching math with 11 years as department chair. She served as the National Honor Society advisor and joined the Finneytown Education Association and served as its President for many years. She retired from teaching in1996. Since retirement she remained active and compassionately involved with civic and educational issues. She was a member of Finneytown Foundation, Ohio Education Association, National Education Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Hamilton County Retired Teachers, Finneytown Retired Teachers Association, Greenhills American Legion Auxiliary, Forest Park Women's Club and the ZTA (Zeta Tau Alpha) alumni group. She worked as a judge at the polls, volunteer for Meals on Wheels, and actively worked on school levy issues. She also worked at HandR Block as a certified tax preparer and was a mentor to Miami students through an OEAR program. She was a member of the Northminster Presbyterian Church. In 2011 Dorothy was inducted into Finneytown High School Hall of Fame. She enjoyed cooking, baking; and working in her garden and yard. She loved and enjoyed teaching mathematics and hoped that her enthusiasm and interest in math would be reflected in her students. She felt that knowledge of math is the key to open the door to a field of opportunities. She is survived by Donald, her husband of 66.5 years, her sons, Robert (Steve) and Tom (Karen); sisters Irene Broyles and Evelyn Fergle; grandchildren Becky and Andy; and many nieces and nephews. There will be a Memorial Service for Dorothy on Tuesday, 19 January 2016, 11am at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 703 Compton Road, Finneytown (Cincinnati), Ohio 45231 (513-931-0243) followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please make a generous contribution to the Forest Park Woman's Club Scholarship Fund in her memory to Diana Herbe, 744 Decatur Court, Forest Park 45240. www.vittstermeranderson.com