Obituary for Mary H. Schaefer
Hortense Haith Schaefer was born on August 31, 1924, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Ella and James Oscar Haith. Hortense later adopted the first name “Mary,” but continued to be known to those close to her as “Hortense.”
She attended I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth which played a significant role in her life. She found that the teachers there were very dedicated to and interested in their students. Her English teachers encouraged the memorization of passages of literature and poetry. She learned life lessons that were taught along with the subject matter. Her teachers inspired her love of learning as well as an appreciation for the opportunity to learn. This was in a situation where students had to buy their own books, and if their parents could not afford to buy them, they had to do without books. Some of her elementary school classes were held in old, condemned buildings. Others were held in demountable buildings call the “chicken coops.” Since Black students were not allowed in the local public library, when she could use the attractive rooms of the beautiful brick high school, she felt that she had ARRIVED! To her, I.C. Norcom had become a symbol of enrichment and empowerment.
An accomplishment that had been a source of enduring pride for Hortense was an event when her homeroom teacher asked the students of the February of 1940 Graduating Class to submit entries for a special school song. The song, with lyrics written by Hortense Haith and sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, was chosen as the favorite. The most amazing revelation for Hortense was the discovery that the words she wrote in childhood adoration of her school have been used for years since and have become a unifying source of inspiration for thousands of Norcomites who followed her. She found it heartwarming to observe the enthusiasm of a room filled with Norcomites swaying and singing “For You Dear Norcom” during a return visit many years later.
Hortense later graduated from West Virginia State University. She married George Schaefer in New York City and together they moved to Chicago, where they raised three sons. She subsequently became an elementary school teacher in the Chicago Public School system, where she used poetry and dramatics extensively in the classes she taught. She was also a member of Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church. After she retired, she volunteered as a docent at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Square dancing and genealogy were two of her hobbies. She also spent much of her time involved with the Orchidettes Bridge Club, The Parents’ Guild Social Club, and the West Virginia State University Alumni Association.
Hortense is survived by her three sons, Michael, Ronald (Ronnie), and Mark, and is the grandmother of two and great-grandmother of five.
For those who are interested, the family asks that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637, or online at dusablemuseum.org. Phone: 773-947-0600.
She attended I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth which played a significant role in her life. She found that the teachers there were very dedicated to and interested in their students. Her English teachers encouraged the memorization of passages of literature and poetry. She learned life lessons that were taught along with the subject matter. Her teachers inspired her love of learning as well as an appreciation for the opportunity to learn. This was in a situation where students had to buy their own books, and if their parents could not afford to buy them, they had to do without books. Some of her elementary school classes were held in old, condemned buildings. Others were held in demountable buildings call the “chicken coops.” Since Black students were not allowed in the local public library, when she could use the attractive rooms of the beautiful brick high school, she felt that she had ARRIVED! To her, I.C. Norcom had become a symbol of enrichment and empowerment.
An accomplishment that had been a source of enduring pride for Hortense was an event when her homeroom teacher asked the students of the February of 1940 Graduating Class to submit entries for a special school song. The song, with lyrics written by Hortense Haith and sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne, was chosen as the favorite. The most amazing revelation for Hortense was the discovery that the words she wrote in childhood adoration of her school have been used for years since and have become a unifying source of inspiration for thousands of Norcomites who followed her. She found it heartwarming to observe the enthusiasm of a room filled with Norcomites swaying and singing “For You Dear Norcom” during a return visit many years later.
Hortense later graduated from West Virginia State University. She married George Schaefer in New York City and together they moved to Chicago, where they raised three sons. She subsequently became an elementary school teacher in the Chicago Public School system, where she used poetry and dramatics extensively in the classes she taught. She was also a member of Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church. After she retired, she volunteered as a docent at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Square dancing and genealogy were two of her hobbies. She also spent much of her time involved with the Orchidettes Bridge Club, The Parents’ Guild Social Club, and the West Virginia State University Alumni Association.
Hortense is survived by her three sons, Michael, Ronald (Ronnie), and Mark, and is the grandmother of two and great-grandmother of five.
For those who are interested, the family asks that in lieu of flowers that a donation be made to the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Place, Chicago, IL 60637, or online at dusablemuseum.org. Phone: 773-947-0600.