Obituary of Roma Haag

Roma "Ronnie" Haag Sidney, NY Roma "Ronnie" Haag, 87, longtime resident of Sidney, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 30, 2018 after a two month battle with cancer. Roma was born on June 7, 1931 in Flushing, NY, daughter of the late Generoso "George" Petrone and Lilli Drews. Following high school, Ronnie received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Flushing Hospital in Queens in 1951. On June 8, 1952, she was married to Raymond C. Haag at St. John's Lutheran Church in Williston Park, Long Island. Their family moved to Sidney in the summer of 1963. Ronnie and Ray shared 61 years of marriage before he predeceased her on December 11, 2013. Together, Ronnie and Ray owned Cross Creek Stables. Ronnie began teaching horsemanship and riding lessons in the early 1970s, and became an A.R.I.C.P. Certified Instructor in 1985. In 1977, Ronnie was approached to join The Hospital Board of Trustees. Two years later, she became President, an office she held for 17 years. She had the distinction of being the longest serving trustee on the board. Ronnie had a relentless passion for helping all young people. She volunteered as a leader and a senior leader with the Girl Scouts for over 20 years and was also involved in 4-H. In 1985, she helped form the Youth Advocate Program, which lead to the creation of the Tri-Town Boys and Girls Club, and has since evolved to the Tri-Town Youth Club. Recently, Ronnie was the leading force behind the creation of the Sidney Area Youth Advocacy Program following the suicide of a young girl. Ronnie was also responsible for the creation of the Skateboard Park in Sidney. Ronnie was a woman of deep faith from which sprung her love of serving others. She was a devoted member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church for all her years in Sidney, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and served and chaired a variety of committees, including the Parish Nurse Program. In 1997, Ronnie Haag's dedication to her community was recognized when she was honored by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce as the Citizen of the Years. Ronnie lived a life that deeply affected others; she will be sorely missed by her Daughter, Dr. Ellen Louise Johnson and her husband, Anthony T. Forbidussi, Jr. of Thompson, PA Grandchildren: Benjamin Raymond Johnson, Melanie Anne Barrett, Christen Leigh Bloom and Laura Kay Johnson Great-Grandchildren: Alexandra Ellen Johnson, Connor Alleric Barrett, Jordan Paul Barrett, Kaelie Marie Johnson, Parker Devland Johnson, Isaac Thomas Seiler, Christine Anna Seiler and Alexia Leigh Bloom, those she loved and mentored,as well as many friends. In addition to her parents, siblings, and beloved husband, Ray, Ronnie was predeceased by her son, Robert Raymond Haag, and great-granddaughter, Darlene Elizabeth Johnson. Roma "Ronnie" Haag will be laid to rest at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Sidney. Special heartfelt gratitude is extended by the family to Christen Bloom who provided wonderful nursing care for her grandmother at home and to devoted friend Susan Delello for all her support and care for all Mrs. Haag's animals. Much appreciation is also given to Darlene Faigle (Darlene's Flower World) for creating beautiful floral arrangements for Roma's service with very caring personal attention. Memorial donations in Ronnie's honor may be directed to the Tri-Town Youth Club, c/o Vincent Spruill, 12 Liberty St. Sidney, NY 13838. Contributions may also be directed to the family to offset expenses. Share condolences and memories with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements entrusted to C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.