Ruby O. Haight succumbs at age 94
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Sister Ruby Olson Haight, widow of Elder David B. Haight, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at age 94.
Her death was announced to the Church by President Gordon B. Hinckley as he stood to deliver his First Presidency Christmas Devotional address that evening.
"We have just been sobered by the news that Sister Ruby Haight, the widow of Elder David B. Haight of the (Quorum) of the Twelve, has just passed away," President Hinckley said. "Her husband died last July, and she has gone to join him."
President Hinckley, who was a classmate of Sister Haight's during their school years in Salt Lake City, continued: "She was a great lady, a beautiful and sweet and wonderful character.
"She is survived by her daughter, Karen Huntsman, and two sons, Robert and Bruce Haight.
"We extend our condolences to the family and our prayers that the Lord will comfort and sustain and bless them."
Sister Haight was born in Fairview, Utah, on April 28, 1910, to Peter and Christena Maria Larsen Olson.
Ruby's father died when she was 1 year old, and she was raised by her widowed mother in a home filled with love and laughter.
When Ruby was 8 years old, her family moved to Salt Lake City for better schooling opportunities, which led to her association in school with President Hinckley. She attended Wasatch Elementary School, Bryant Junior High and LDS High School. She enjoyed school and loved studying history and the Spanish language. She was involved in music classes and worked to develop her alto singing voice.
She met David B. Haight at a dance while attending the University of Utah. Later, Brother Haight hired her to work during the summer at a local hardware store. They were married on Sept. 4, 1930, in the Salt Lake Temple.
Immediately after their marriage, they moved to California where Elder Haight was employed at a large department store. He also served as mayor of Palo Alto. The Haights' three children were born in California.
Sister Haight moved with her husband to Scotland where he served as mission president from 1963 to 1966. They returned from that service to Provo, Utah, where Elder Haight became an assistant to the president of BYU.
Besides California and Utah, the Haights also lived in Chicago for a time. Sister Haight was active in musical productions wherever the family resided.
Her husband was called to be a General Authority as an Assistant to the Twelve on April 6, 1970. He was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve on Jan. 8, 1976.
Sister Haight was a kind, caring woman who focused on her husband and family and also actively served others.
Elder and Sister Haight have 18 grandchildren and 78 great-grandchildren.
A report of her funeral, which was held Thursday, Dec. 9, will be published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Church News.
