Magda Haber, 86, of Naples, Florida (formerly of Leawood, Kansas), died June 10, 2023.
Private graveside services for the family were held at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, and a shiva followed for friends and community members. The family suggests contributions to Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy or Joanne’s House of Naples, Florida.
Magda was born July 23, 1936, to the late Maria Villate Gutierrez and Carlos Padilla. After graduating from high school in Guatemala, she attended college at the University of San Carlos for three years before immigrating to Chicago, Illinois. There she met and married the love of her life, Edward Haber. They ultimately moved to Kansas City, where she and Edward started an electronics manufacturing company.
Magda taught herself accounting and human resources and served as vice president and CFO of Filtronetics, Inc. until her stroke in 2015. She was an active member of Congregation Beth Shalom and its Sisterhood, and a lifetime member of Hadassah. She was an avid mahjongg player and loved her weekly games. She enjoyed travel, and forced her reluctant husband to see the world. Despite himself, he enjoyed the ride. In the late ‘70s, she was honored to serve as a Small Business Association representative to Washington, D.C., to lobby for minority and women owned businesses.
Her many joys and hobbies included gourmet cooking, quilting, knitting, sewing and building miniatures. She loved sharing her gifts with others; as a young housewife, she handmade a wedding dress for the daughter of a friend as a favor. Her picnics and dinners were legendary. Her greatest delight in life was spending time with her husband Edward – her biggest fan - and her six beloved grandchildren.
Magda was preceded in death by her mother; her son, Richard Jacob Haber; brother, Edgar Bran; and son-in-law Harold Agron. She is survived by daughters Ruth Agron of New Orleans, Louisiana (Nicole and Jack) and Doris and William Mendel of Kansas City, Missouri (Sam, Morgan, Nora and James).
Condolences may be shared at louismemorialchapel.com.
