Roll Call Tribute

Maureen Anne (Mitchell) Hafertepe 

June 26, 1963 - July 3, 2024 

Maureen Anne Hafertepe passed away peacefully at the age of 61 on July 3, 2024, after courageously battling glioblastoma. Her loving family surrounded her as she departed from this world to eternal glory with her Lord and Savior.

Maureen was born June 26, 1963, in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of Sharon and Deacon Brian J. Mitchell. At the age of 9, Maureen and the Mitchell family relocated to Dallas where she attended St. Monica Catholic School and later graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas in 1981. Maureen attended Texas A&M University where she fell in love with architectural design and, more importantly, the love of her life, Joe. Maureen and Joe married in 1985 and had five radiant children who were the cornerstone of their lives.

Maureen's pillars of life were Faith, Family, and Fun. Her faith and devotion to God led her to be a true servant for others. She never missed a Sunday mass and would often provide sincere advice to "pray about it" or "offer it up." She demonstrated spiritual dependence on God's plan for any situation at hand. She also made it frequently known that the only man she loved more in life than her husband, Joe, was her creator, God. Her devotion to blessed Mother Mary was unparalleled, and Mary's intercessory demonstration of miracles over the past two years has been revealed continuously to her family. Through Blessed Mary's example, Maureen devoted her life to her five children. "Forced Family Fun" was her motto, but there was nothing forced about it. She ensured family gatherings, dinners, and holidays were always filled with laughter and love. Fun came naturally to Maureen, and it is no coincidence this stemmed from her faith and love of family. An extrovert, Maureen was happiest when connecting with people, and she never missed an opportunity to host or attend a celebration. When Maureen was around, you always felt like the most important person in the room. Whether it was under the sun at the lake or in the snow on the mountain, it was "the best day ever." She lived life with so much passion; every day was filled with experiencing life to the max.

Maureen's selflessness was a shining example in her community. Despite receiving numerous accolades, she always chose to remain anonymous, preferring to let her acts of kindness speak for themselves. From her service at the Missionaries of Charity to her enthusiastic volunteering at her children's schools, her dedication and generosity will always be remembered.

Maureen's love for her family was boundless. She was preceded in death by her brother Danny Mitchell and father Deacon Brian J. Mitchell. She is survived by her husband: Joe, her five children: Tara (Nick Kennedy), Chelsea (Kyle Duncan), Heidi (Kent Pipho), Joey, and Nicky; her six grandchildren: Korbin, Forrest, Mitchell, Penelope, Campbell, and McKenzie Maureen (due in October); her mother: Sharon, her siblings: Molly (John McHugh), Pat (Tracy) Mitchell, Brian (Jen) Mitchell; and her twenty-four nieces and nephews.

The Visitation and Holy Rosary will be on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 10:00am followed by the 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Monica Catholic Church, 9933 Midway Road Dallas, Texas 75220. Entombment will take place at 2:00pm at Calvary Hill Cemetery.

Catholic education was important to Maureen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Maureen Anne Mitchell Hafertepe Endowment Scholarship at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, The Maureen and Joe Hafertepe Endowment Scholarship at Bishop Lynch High School, or The Hafertepe Family Scholarship Fund at Jesuit Preparatory School of Dallas.