Clara "Bonnie" Hager

Clara Bonnetia [Bonnie] Goudy Hager passed into eternal life on July 1, 2019. She was the beloved mother of six children. Additionally she was the devoted grandmother to 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She was married to George F. Hager for 51 years until his death in 1998.  Bonnie was born on January 23, 1925 in Lima, Ohio. She was the second child of George Dewey Goudy and Minnie Walda Goudy.  She grew up in Indiana during the Great Depression with four brothers, Dewey, Robert, Ralph and Walter and graduated from Columbia City High School. While in high school, she enjoyed working in the school library. Following high school, she attended Ft. Wayne Lutheran Hospital Nursing School through the Cadet Corp program which paid for nurse training in return for service as a military nurse. The war ended before graduation and she was excused from military service. Through her brother Dewey, she met his Army-Air Corps buddy, George Hager and they were married in 1947. She then moved to the Washington DC area where she lived for the rest of her life.   Bonnie gave up her nursing career at Georgetown University Hospital to be at home with her children, however, she always retained the caring skills of a nurse and was loved by many for her thoughtfulness and concern for others.  As her children grew older, she happily returned to her love of library work and became a librarian for many years at DeMatha Catholic High School. Bonnie contributed to many good causes. Among others, she was a quilter with the ladies group at St. Jerome’s Church and participated in fund-raising projects at DeMatha High School, Elizabeth Seton High School, and St. Jerome’s.  After retirement, Bonnie and George enjoyed many trips both domestic and international. Bonnie will always be remembered as a joyful spirit who was devoted to her family and who cherished every moment with her grandchildren. She is survived by her six children: Bonnie Estes and husband Edmund, Thomas Hager and wife Wanda, Claire Newberry and husband Drew, Martin Hager and wife Mary, Philip Hager and wife Donna, Gregory Hager and wife Linda.  Her Grandchildren: Britney Snyder, Jill Hager, Jennifer Harper, Tracey Newberry, Billy Newberry, Daniel Hager, Jonathan Hager, Joseph Hager, Maureen Hager, and Michael Hager as well as 8 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Gasch’s Funeral Home, P.A., 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD on Thursday July 11, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on July 12, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Jerome Church, 5205 - 43rd Avenue,  Hyattsville, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bonnie’s name to St. Jerome's Catholic Church.