Maxine Ruth McFerrin Haggerty

1933 ~ 2023

Maxine Ruth (McFerrin) Haggerty passed away on May 19, 2023, in Salt Lake City at age 90. She had lived in Utah since 1970. She was born in Girard, Kansas, on February 5, 1933, the youngest of four children. As a small baby she barely survived a severe case of whooping cough. When she was nine years old, her father, a high school science teacher, completed a second masters degree and moved the family to Iola, Kansas, where he taught at the junior college for two years. While living there, Maxine suffered a case of scarlet fever. In 1945, the family moved to Emporia, Kansas, where her father accepted a teaching position at the College of Emporia, and where Maxine grew up and received her A.B. in English at the College of Emporia (1955) and an M.S. in Library Science from the Emporia State Teachers College (1959).

Maxine met her husband, Earl D. Haggerty, in 1955 when both were teaching in the high school of Mulvane, Kansas, just south of Wichita, where they did their courting. They married on July 1, 1956. A year later they moved to Emporia, where Maxine finished her library degree while Earl taught at Emporia High School. Their son Michael was born on June 9, 1961. The next year they started a gypsy life when they moved to a Washington, D.C., Suburb (Hyattsville, MD area) after Earl joined the U.S. Civil Service Commission as an investigator. Their Daughter Christine was born at the Cheverly Hospital on March 5, 1963. After two and a half years in Maryland, Earl began accepting optional transfers every two years. They lived in Atlanta (Chamblee), GA; Knoxville (Bearden), TN; and Salt Lake City, where they decided to settle down in Holladay in 1970.

Maxine was employed as a reference librarian in the University of Utah’s Marriott Library for 23 years, from the fall of 1974 until she retired in February of 1998. During that time, she was active in the Utah Library Association and the Government Documents Round Table of the American Library Association. After retiring, she kept in touch with the campus by attending the monthly luncheons of the U of U Professors Emeriti Club. She and Earl were life-long Methodists, and Maxine was always involved in United Methodist Women in some capacity. Maxine enjoyed working with other women in purposeful causes. She was either an active or supporting member of the League of Women Voters for many years. Through the years she held numerous offices in the American Association of University Women (AAUW), acting as Historian for AAUW of Utah, organizing the Salt Lake City Branch annual fundraising luncheon for national level AAUW Fellowships, and starting the Salt Lake City Branch of AAUW Scholarship for Salt Lake Valley non-traditional women students. In later years she also was a supporter of the United Nations Association of Utah (UNAU).

Maxine liked to travel. Wherever they lived, Earl took the family on summer vacations to many of the U.S. national parks. Her interest in travel abroad started when she and Earl drove to Mexico City on their honeymoon. After his passing, she visited Russia (riding the Trans-Siberian Railway), did a Grand Tour of Europe on her own with a Eurail Pass, toured India and Turkey with the Friendship Force, went to China, Iran (with Distant Horizons), Egypt, the British Isles & Ireland, Eastern Europe, Greece and the Islands, Spain & Portugal, and Israel and Jordan (with the U of U Professors Emeriti). Maxine and Earl enjoyed theater together, and after his death, Maxine supported many of the arts that Utah offers, holding season tickets with friends to Pioneer Theatre, the Utah Symphony and Opera, Ballet West, the Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre in Logan, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband (December 24, 1987), parents Twila (Porterfield) and William Virgil McFerrin, sisters Mary Beth Starke (DeLoss) and Lois Jean Athon (Merrill), and brother Bruce R. McFerrin (Dona). She is survived by her children, Christine Louise Favre (Jean) of Ticino, Switzerland, and Michael Stewart Haggerty (Sheila) of Lubbock, Texas, three grandchildren, Nicolas and Melanie Favre and Patrick Haggerty, and several nieces and nephews.

At her request, Maxine was cremated at Larkin Sunset Lawn and her ashes will be buried under a marker next to the marker of her deceased husband Earl D. Haggerty. Condolences may be sent to Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.


Guestbook/Condolences

Christine, I didn't ever meet your mom, but I have heard of her for many years from my daughter, Jill Klemin. Maxine was a very special friend to Jill and all of her family. They loved visiting and bringing her treats. They loved watching out for her. Maxine made them feel so good when she remembered them on holidays and their birthdays. They hated to see her move. They worried about her. They will surely miss her. You are in our prayers. It is hard to lose someone. We hope you feel comfort in knowing how important Maxine was to Jill's family.
Colette Waters


- Colette Waters

I was saddened to hear of Maxine's passing. It was always such a pleasure to visit with her when I would spend time with Christine and her family in SLC. Maxine had great hobbies she would share about and
was always very welcoming. I was impressed with each holiday letter I'd receive that shared her activities, concerns and positive hopes for her community and the world. I feel honored to have been able to know Maxine. May the memories help heal this loss and be touched by her spirit which will live on. Maxine will be missed by our family. In love, peace and sympathy, Dawn, Matt & Libby Hansen


- Dawn Hansen

Maxine will be dearly missed. She has given so much to her family, she had welcomed me in Salt Lake City; she was passionate about her job at the University, serving, and helping all. She embraced several great causes, helping other women, and contributing to their own growth. Her travel throughout the world made her a better person, with wide horizons and a deeper and healthy understanding of the world.

We only have a single mother. A mother gives all she has to her children, and I can feel the huge loss Christine and Mike have to deal with. My prayers go to them. Stand tall, and honor her life and your life-long memories with Maxine.


- Jean Favre, Switzerland

Christine & family

My deepest sympathy for the loss of your mother. I only met Maxine once or twice but followed her life through you. Her life of work, travel and independence were indicative of her strength, courage and determination, characteristics you have inherited. Stay strong and true to yourself, our love and thoughts are with you now and forever, your friend


- Ann Simi-Cummings