Margaret E. Hase

Margaret Eleanor Hase, 56, of Ocean Springs, MS died on Thursday, June 14, 2012. Besides her family, Margaret had two passions in life: environmental protection and education for everyone. For years she was employed by the MS Water and Air Pollution Control Commission. She left there to become the Environmental Coordinator at Kessler Air Force Base for the remainder of her career. She was deeply concerned with safely removing toxins and preventing further pollution. Together with her family an endowed Finley Scholarship was set up at the MGCCC for students who have had to work during high school. During her illness, Margaret often stated that she would prefer to be remembered with donations to this fund to further more students’ educations and future careers. Ms Hase is preceded in death by her father, Chester William Finley and her brother, Robert Stacy Finley. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Michelle H. McCartney (Toby) and their son, Chris, Melissa Adelle Hase and fiance, Steven Villines and his daughters, Olivia and Sophia; son, James Christopher Hase (Lamenda) and their children, Shelbi and Gavin; mother, Rosemary Finley of Long Beach, MS; brother, Chester L. Finley, M.D. (Sharlotte) and their daughter, Lauren of Opelousas, LA. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 17, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home. Funeral services will be on Monday, June 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 310 North Cleveland Ave., Long Beach, MS. There will be a reception with light refreshments at 9:00 a.m. before the service. Interment will follow in Long Beach Cemetery. Margaret graduated from Long Beach High School, MGCCC and received her BS Degree from MS University for Women. The family prefers donations to: Finley Scholarship Fund, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS 39573. Lamentations of a Tree Hugger By: Margaret Finley Hase Where did all the tree huggers go? When young we admired Jacques Cousteau, Through his trips on the Calypso. I wished to save the world, you know? Such an inspiration to me, That I studied Ecology, And sciences thorough Zoology. Women gained all they wished to be. We listened to John Denver sing, Read the message in SILENT SPRING, Now millions vowed to do something, ‘Protect the Earth’ gave us meaning. Love Canal, Times Beach, Missouri, Caused the whole nation great worry, The EPA in real hurry, Found sites throughout our industry. Erin Brockovich saw the light, Went to court to pursue her fight, Against Pacific Gas and Light. It took years but proved she was right To protect the air, land, and sea, Our doomed dreams did not come to be. As riches grew some failed to see, And chose a bigger SUV. Search your souls for how we once felt, Change things that make polar ice melt. If the Gulf Stream ‘conveyor belt’ Should stop, disaster will be dealt. As polar bears die while we wait, More species may meet the same fate. If or when – no one knows the date, We must act before it’s too late. I spent more than twenty years, Cleaning up the worst of our fears, Only to be brought to deep tears, When toxic air ended my careers. Known as the ‘Baby Boomers,’ When acid rain was vague rumors. Our strength is in our vast numbers, Unite and fight, ye tree huggers