Obituary of Marion Hagler Wolfe

Our beloved Mother, Marion Hagler Wolfe has left us too early. Her children held on to each of her hands and kept her close for as long as possible until they watched as she took her last breath in this world. She passed as she had wanted, in the comfort of her family home, with her children at her side and with her loving cat Milo, keeping watch on the bed.

 

Marion was born in San Jose, CA on October 26, 1937, the daughter of Harold and Dorothy Hagler, she was the second of three children. In 1944, the family moved to Santa Cruz where her father opened Hagler's Grocery, located one block from the Boardwalk at the corner of Riverside, Leibrandt and Second streets. Living in a small Victorian behind the store, the family ran the grocery along with a small twelve room hotel occupying the second floor of the building. Marion and her siblings stocked shelves, ironed sheets and sold fresh baked pastries that were delivered daily. Weekends were spent on the beach or swimming in the Plunge at the Boardwalk. Growing up during the era of the Sun-Tan Special (train), The Salt Water Plunge (indoor pool), Big Bands at the Coconut Grove, The Miss California Pageant and Navy Ships in the Monterey Bay on holidays, was just the beginning of a life-long love affair with the Boardwalk and Santa Cruz beach life.

 

A Santa Cruz High alumna, class of 1956, Marion went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from the University of Montana in Missoula where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. After graduation, she joined the Department of Defense Overseas Dependents' Schools, teaching in Japan, Germany and finally England, where she met her husband.

 

Marion's greatest joys were her children and later on her granddaughters. An amazing caregiver, nurturer and teacher, she loved fixing big family dinners and making holidays special for everyone. Dubbed "Best Nana Ever" by her granddaughters, afternoons with Nana included art projects and baking followed by a big splotch of crystal cut coral lipstick on the girls' cheeks. Her sense of humor was always present, even until the very end. She loved her pets and had an affinity for classic westerns and Carey Grant movies.

 

Marion is survived by her children, Ben Wolfe and Jane Wolfe Mott, son-in-law Jim Mott and granddaughters Lyndsey and Molly Mott and brother, James Hagler.

 

As a 50-year member of Chapter ED of the PEO sisterhood, promoting women's educational opportunity was always a passion. Marion loved being a teacher and was inspired by education. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to PEO Chapter ED in her name.

 

Nana always loved dessert so please join the family for an open house celebration of her life at the family home on Sunday, October 1st from 12:00pm to 3 pm. If you are so inclined, please bring a dessert to share. If you need directions or details on making a contribution, please email janemott@yahoo.com or call (831)239-8401.

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