I was blessed to call Maria my friend. I will always remember her laughter and kindness. As a teacher, she taught me to love my students first before anything else.  She loved her students so much. She healed their broken hearts and she treated them all like they were her own. Her family was the most important part of her life. She always shared the most loving stories about her siblings, mom, dad, nephews and nieces.  I will miss going to Korean BBQ with you, Swine & Wine Nights, your beautiful and classic style, your humor, your sound advice, and your big heart. Thank you for being in my life. I am a better person because of you. 
Your Friend Always,
Mari

Sending  my love and deepest condolences to Maria's family and loved ones. 
Maria and I started out as colleagues many years ago but quickly turned into great friends. I was drawn in by her  kind and loving heart  that had the perfect amount of sass mixed in. She was so smart and funny with a keen sense of style. She had a passion for books and all things pink. I will cherish my time and memories with her. I know her sweet soul is in a better place. She is with our Heavenly Father and all her fur babies watching over us. Maria you will forever be in my heart 🕊 ❤️ 🕊 

All my sympathy, thoughts, love and prayers for my dear aunt and cousins who are dealing with the great loss of my dear Nena. I share your pain. May God help you get through this tough time. May she rest in peace. 
Love,
Pati Rivas

Dearest Family of Maria,
I worked with Maria for a year and a half at Robert Lunt E.S.. We co-taught 4th grade and I loved every minute of working with her. My deepest condolences. My prayers are with you all and Maria will be missed. She will be remembered always in my heart. 
Sincerely,
Diane Cain 

I feel blessed that Maria came into my life although it was just short of one year. We hit it off as soon as we met here in Japan. The very first day we spent together was looking at cars. It was really obvious that she was into cars. I like to think about the little fun adventures that we had together like when she talked the car salesman into letting her trade in her car for an orange one she just had to have. I will always remember her for her love of cars, the color pink, llamas, fashion, and especially shoes. Besides being a fun person to hang out with, Maria was also a very dedicated teacher. She walked into a challenging situation here and she made a huge difference in the lives of the children. Maria was also one of my saviors when I broke my ankle. She spent 6 weeks driving me to and from school without ever complaining. A real sweetheart who was proud of her family back in the states. Please know that Maria had good friends here in Japan and that we all cared about her. Gone too soon.

I am thankful to God that my dear cousin, Maria Elena “Nena” was in my life. My childhood was a happy one sharing it with her. Nena was funny, witty, smart, kind, and a dreamer. The laughs and memories we shared  I will cherish. The memories are endless from playing teacher, knowing lyrics to songs and lines to movies, watching scary movies, learning how to drive, spending hours late at night talking about anything and everything, planning to live near each other as adults, and seeing each grow up. Even though she moved to Las Vegas and Japan, Nena was always close to my heart. Since we didn’t get to live close by as adults, I long our reunion in Heaven.  
 
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
-Psalm 133:1

We are so sorry for your loss
 Maria was so young and had so much life to live, God, however, has a different plan for Maria. May you find peace and solace during this difficult time.
I must tell this story.
I had the pleasure of working with Maria at Gene Ward Elementary School.  I was a new teacher and I would bring my lunch to school in a yellow and black lunch box. One day, as only Maria could say, " Mr Coop, what do you have in your tool box?" I responded, "my lunch." Maria then said that my lunch box resembles a craftsman tool box.  From that day on it was a running joke between the two of us. I  can never use a yellow and black lunch box again ha ha. It is one of many memories I have of my time working with Maria.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all
Love Mike and Maria Coop


Ms. Haro was a wonderful addition to our school. One day, I walked into Ms. Haro's classroom to check on a student. I felt an immediate calmness come over me. I told Ms. Haro about how calm I felt coming into her classroom and she shared with me the research that she had done on how color effects our moods. 
Ms. Haro was not just concerned with decorating. She was concerned about the social emotional well-being of her students, so the classroom environment had to be right for learning.  
On that same day, the student that I was checking on told me while Ms. Haro was in earshot, "I am doing great!" "Ms. Haro understands me!" His statement absolutely warmed our hearts! He was in the right place, at the right time, with the right teacher. Ms. Haro will be missed.  

My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Maria was one of my favorite teachers here. She always made time to visit me here in the front office for student records and I always loved when she would share stories to me. She loved her students and cared so much about their education. She will forever be in my heart.

Juria

OBITUARY

Maria Elena Haro

July 1, 1974 – November 28, 2022

Miller Memorial Chapel

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