Sally Haban

Sally A. (Maxwell) Haban, age 76, passed away on May 25, 2019 surrounded by family, at Bickford of Bexley Senior Living. She was born in Columbus, Ohio on June 7, 1942, to the late James J. and Eleanor A. (Feeley) Maxwell. 

In addition to being a homemaker and raising two children, Sally was a creative problem solver who improved the lives of hundreds of senior citizens through her management positions at several senior living apartment communities in Columbus.

She attended St. Thomas Elementary School and St. Mary of the Springs High School in Columbus. Her last year of high school was completed in Canada (St. Joseph’s in Toronto) after her family briefly moved there for work. She completed 4 years of French language classes in a single year, to fulfill the graduation requirements there. The family then returned to Columbus.

During high school she worked summers as a cashier and sales clerk at Baker’s Shoe Store, and as a secretary at Morin’s Moving and Storage Company.

In 1961 she joined the Glenmary Sisters in Cincinnati, Ohio, with thoughts of becoming a Sister. She progressed through the program for over a year, but ultimately decided the Sisterhood was not her calling. Her husband and children are grateful for this decision.

She attended Mount Carmel School of Nursing until 1963, then worked as a secretary for several years at the Ohio State University Department of Radiology.

In 1967 she married Jim Haban, and they gave birth to their son Scott the following year. Their daughter Anne was born two years later. Sally was devoted to her children, who feel truly fortunate to have had her as their Mom. She focused on homemaking until her children were nearing high school age, and volunteered at the Christ the King School library for 7 years. She also served for 2 years as a Girl Scout Brownie leader.

In 1983, Sally took a job as a receptionist at Wexner Heritage Village, a senior housing community in Columbus. This marked the beginning of a major new phase of her life. After a few years she was promoted to Assistant Administrator. She worked there for over a decade, taking some time off to care for her ailing father during his final year, and her son during a year-long health recovery at home. She was more than an administrator though. She touched the lives of many people, including taking a disabled resident to church every Sunday.

In 1996 she became Manager of Bexley Heritage Apartments, a senior residence with about 40 apartments. Among many other things, she met personally with every applicant, managed waiting lists and worked with all residents to meet all needs and requirements to ensure they could continue living in the apartments. Her family remembers her many tales of problems and solutions of every imaginable type (and some un-imaginable) which come up while managing so many residents.

In 2003 she accepted a position as Manager of Nazareth Towers, a high-rise retirement building for low-income seniors in downtown Columbus, with over 200 apartments. An older building, it brought an even greater number of challenges, and even more stories of problems and creative solutions.  She retired at the end of 2009.

Sally’s life was defined by caring for others. As she battled health issues over the past few years, she was the recipient, often reluctantly, of care from others, particularly her husband Jim who provided a shining example of love and care over the past few years and months. She was a resident at Bickford of Bexley, where she received excellent care in her final days.

Survived by her loving and devoted husband of 51 years, James; children, Scott T. (Cynthia) Haban and Anne C. (David) Poston; grandson, Ian J. Haban; sister, Carol (Harold) Evans; sister-in-law, Mary Haban; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, May 30 at EGAN-RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 403 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215 with a Rosary to begin at 6:30 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 31 at CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2777 E. Livingston Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43209, Father David Schalk, Celebrant. Burial will follow immediately at St. Joseph Cemetery.

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