Margery Glencairn Hadl

Margery Glencairn Hadl (Mother Marg) died on April 9, 2023, at her home. She was born October 5, 1933, in Lawrence to Harold S. and Esther G. Day Skinner. Early in life, Marg developed a passion for animals. She had magical powers that lured stray pets of all species to her home on East 12th Street. Her menagerie included birds, cats and dogs in town plus horses, donkeys and mini-mules later years on the farm south of Lawrence.

Marg attended Lawrence public schools. She especially cherished her memories from New York Elementary and Liberty Memorial High Schools where she established many “forever friends”. Her best friend, Leah introduced her to Trinity Lutheran Church in Junior High. That became her “forever church home” for the rest of her devoted life in Christ. As a young woman, Marg made use of another passion, her soprano voice. She often sang for funerals and weddings.

Marg attended the University of Kansas. She married the “boy next door”, Gerald, “Jerry” Hadl upon his return from the Korean War. She frequently told the story of her wedding night March 1, 1953. An unusual blizzard closed roads and pre-empted their honeymoon travels. After their wedding, they carved a path as far as Tonganoxie before they called it good. Marg said she feared she would be a widow before a wife that night because Jerry stood on the running board outside the driver’s door so that he could steer and see the road.

Marg and Jerry happily brought Trudy and Susan into their Pleasant Valley world. While raising her daughters, Marg enjoyed careers in retail (Weaver’s Dept Store and Jay Shoppe), teaching preschool (Trinity Lutheran Preschool and KinderCare) and working in the bakery at Dillons.

During her seven plus decades as a member of Trinity Lutheran, she participated in every aspect of the church life. She taught Sunday and Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, served on the Council, chaired the Women’s ELCA, lead Altar Care teams and coordinated the congregational support to LINK.

Jerry preceded her in death in 1999. Months prior to his death, he had the foresight to move Marg back to town from the farm. Marg gratefully immersed herself in church activities after he died.

Marg was also preceded in death by her parents and her childhood hero, 100-year-old grandfather, Eldred Glencairn Day. She is survived by her daughters, Trudy Eleanor Hadl of Kansas City and Leah Susan Hadl of Lawrence.

Per Marg’s wishes, there will only be a graveside service at Memorial Park on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, Marg requests that memorials be sent through the Warren McElwain Funeral Home to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Lawrence Humane Society (or animal rescue of choice) or Trinity Lutheran Church.