Jeanne Marie (Yeates) Habig
Jeanne Marie (Yeates) Habig
Jeanne Marie (Yeates) Habig, 79, peacefully earned her wings on March 22, 2024, at home surrounded by her family. Born in Buffalo, NY on April 20, 1944 to Arthur Roswell Yeates and Jeanette Josephine (Jantz) Yeates, she lived a full life of family, career, social events, and community service. She attended Mount St. Joseph Academy and Medaille College. In school, she played basketball and was recruited for semi-pro girls’ softball. By the ninth grade, she knew she wanted to be a nun, and right after graduating high school, she entered the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Buffalo. During the 11 years she was a nun, she taught and coached girls’ sports at several schools, including Cardinal Mindszenty in Dunkirk.
One day, she learned that she needed a root canal and was referred by a priest to a local dentist; the following June 21, 1974, she married her dentist, Dr. Louis Habig. They made their home in Westfield to raise their children, where they have strong social ties in the community, have been avid volunteers and die-hard Buffalo Bills fans. She was a strong advocate for area school children as a WACS School Board member for 27 years. Her memberships and service organizations include: coaching Westfield youth soccer, Westfield Republican Committee, Patterson Library, Westfield VFW Auxiliary, Westfield Union Relief, Westfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Women of the Moose Chapter 517, Westfield Women’s Organization, and Westfield American Legion Auxiliary. In her free time, she enjoyed counted cross-stitch and made treasured gifts for family and friends. Additionally, she enjoyed preparing delicious meals for family and participating in “progressive dinners” with friends. Jeanne was Red, White, and Blue to the core–her patriotism ran deep; and she was a proud Navy wife and Blue Star Mother. She had an “Open Door Policy” for anyone new to the area, someone in-need of a listening ear, or in the mood for a home-cooked meal. Her home was a Safe House for area youth, where she was also famous for her fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.
She is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Lou, and their children: Martha (Yves) Le Cars, Theresa Evans, Patricia (Alan) Bowen, Sarah Habig Culver, and Louis (Jessica) Habig II, sons-in-law John Tritten and Andrew Culver, and daughter-in-law Adele Harrington; grandchildren Scott (Alyssa) Tritten, Mackenzi (Nick) Bruce, Ani Duffee, Arley Culver, Desiree Bowen, Christopher Bowen, and Marc Bowen. Jeanne is further survived by her brother William (Marilyn) Yeates, sisters-in-law Rose Marie Yeates, Mary Ann Yeates and Mary Habig, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, her son Thomas Habig, brothers Donald (Gloria) Yeates and Gerald Yeates, and brother-in-law Michael Habig.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, March 30 at Morse Funeral Home in Brocton from 1pm-4pm, with a Celebration of Life following from 5pm-8pm at Westfield Moose Lodge. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, April 2nd at 7pm at St. Dominic’s Roman Catholic Church in Westfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jeanne’s name may be sent to the Patterson Library, Westfield, NY, or a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend sincere appreciation to friends and extended family, Westfield Memorial Hospital, the staff at Absolut Care of Westfield, and Chautauqua Area Hospice for their support during this challenging time. Online condolences may be made at www.themorsefuneralhome.com.