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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Marie A. Haring, 90, formerly of Youngstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept 23, 2026, at Beau Maison Memory Care in Matairie, Louisiana.
Marie was born July 8, 1936, in Youngstown, a daughter of Michael and Agnes Novotny Ekoniak.
She attended St. Matthias School and continued afterward at Vincentian Academy High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. Marie married George E. Haring on Aug. 1, 1953; and they shared 65 years of marriage until his passing on Feb. 13, 2022.
She attended Youngstown University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education in June 1957. She attended Kent State University and did postgraduate coursework in special education. Marie then went on to attend Columbia University Teachers College and received her Master of Arts degree in special education in December 1959. From September 1955 to June 1957, she taught in the Youngstown parochial schools. Then she became a teacher of orthopedically handicapped children in Youngstown City Schools from September 1957 to June 1991, at Bennett School and then Paul C. Bunn Elementary School, until her retirement after nearly 34 years. She and George then moved to Sarasota, Florida, where Marie again taught orthopedically handicapped children from 1991 to 2007, another 16 years.
Marie was truly dedicated to her students and devoted to their success. She won an award as Teacher of the Year from the Paul C. Bunn PTA in 1986 and the Teacher of the Year Award from Gulf Gate Elementary School (2002-2003) in Sarasota.
Marie was a member of the Jubilee Christian Fellowship at Glenellen in North Lima. She enjoyed horse riding and had a horse farm in Canfield. She also enjoyed dancing and music, especially Christian music.
After retiring, she and her husband moved to Branson, Missouri, for several years and then decided to move back to Youngstown, where they both had family. Marie chose a lovely condo at the Villas at Glenallen, where they enjoyed their retirement. After George's death in 2022, she moved to River Ridge, Louisiana, to be near her son, Christopher, and his wife, June.
Marie will be deeply missed and always remembered by her son, Christopher (June) Haring; grandchildren, Christy Haring of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Brett (Dominique) Haring; great-grandson, Oliver Haring; her brother, Michael Ekoniak Jr.; her niece, Michele Begalla Minotti, and her nephew, Michael Ekoniak III.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; sister, Eleanore Ekoniak Janosko; and nephews, Stephen Begalla, and Nathaniel Ekoniak.
The Haring family has entrusted Marie's care to the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell, Ohio. Calling hours will be from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, followed by a prayer service, all at the funeral home.
Marie will be laid to rest next to her husband, George, in St. John Cemetery in Lowellville, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Easterseals of Northeast Ohio, 299 Edwards St., Youngstown, OH 44502, which provides exceptional services to children (and adults) of all abilities so they can live, learn, work and play in our communities.
Please visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and to leave condolences with Marie's family.
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