Passing of a Family Legacy Holder
LEXINGTON, Mass. — Mary Stewart Hafer, daughter of Archie and Mary Stewart of Newburgh and a lifelong steward of her family’s historic contribution to aviation in the Hudson Valley, died on August 16, 2025, just one month shy of her 101st birthday.
Hafer’s life spanned a century of remarkable change, much of which her family helped shape. It was her father, Archie Stewart, who persuaded his brother Samuel to donate a portion of the family farm in Newburgh to the City of Newburgh for use as an airfield. That land became Stewart Field, later known as Stewart International Airport.
Stewart Field and Its Evolution
During World War II, Stewart Field served as a crucial training ground where West Point cadets learned to fly. After the war, it became Stewart Air Force Base, headquarters for the Boston Air Defense Section during the Cold War.
When the base was eventually decommissioned, the property was transformed into a commercial airport. In 1990, Stewart International Airport welcomed its first commercial airline passengers. Mary, her parents, and the Stewart family were honored guests aboard American Airlines’ inaugural flight.
Protecting the Stewart Name
Hafer was deeply committed to preserving her family’s legacy at the airport. When management announced plans in 2004 to change its name, she, along with her children Tom and Abby, led a vigorous campaign of local and national support to retain the Stewart name. Their advocacy was successful, and today the facility is officially known as New York Stewart International Airport.
Following the passing of her father, Hafer became the official family spokeswoman for the airport, regularly representing the Stewart family at events. Her son, Tom, now continues that role as family representative.
Family Life
Mary Stewart married Frederick Hafer, a West Point cadet, on June 8, 1946. Their marriage lasted nearly 70 years until his death in 2016. Together they raised a family deeply tied to the Stewart legacy.
Hafer endured personal loss in later years. Her son, John, died in 2005, and her daughter, Abby, passed away only weeks before her own death.
She is survived by her son Thomas Hafer and his wife Ann, and her son-in-law Alan MacRobert, the husband of Abby. She also leaves behind five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who carry forward both her memory and the family name.
Remembering a Steward of History
Hafer’s life bridged personal devotion and civic responsibility. Family members recalled her as not only an adoring wife, mother, and grandmother but also as a proud advocate for the airport that still bears her family’s name.
Through her efforts, and those of her family, the Stewart legacy remains cemented in New York aviation history.
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