Della Mae Haddad died on October 7 at age 87. She was preceded in death by her parents, Najib and Julia Haddad, brothers Maynard, Johnny and Kenneth (Bunny), sister Margaret Simmons, Nephew Joey. She is survived by sister Judy, nieces Julianne and Laura Lynn, nephews Danny, Chris and Shawn Simmons, sister-in-law Anita and lots of Esper family in Pennsylvania. She also leaves behind best friends Jacqueline and Rod White and caretaker of 10 years Petra Garcia. She was a proud Tiger of El Paso High, Class of 1955, attended UTEP and graduated with a Masters from UT Austin.
Della's life story is best described as a teacher. She began as a special needs elementary teacher for several years before opening her own school in Louisiana. She eventually moved back to El Paso to teach. In the late 70's, she had an idea to open a store that focused on coffees, teas, food items and accoutrements - The Coffee Emporium, her legacy of 45 years and counting. This was before Starbucks came to town. She taught El Paso about coffee varieties, grinders, espresso and cappuccino machines, teas by the ounce or the bag, Jelly Bellies, English jams and crackers, etc. She loved talking about coffee! After shop talk ended, Della became a masseuse and taught about the body, Finally, she ended her working life back where she started, teaching in an elementary school.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, October 18, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Clement Church, 810 North Campbell Street, El Paso, TX 79902
