Love, faith recalled
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Ruby Olson Haight's love for her husband and family and her faith in God were remembered in funeral services at the Salt Lake Monument Park Stake Center on Thursday, Dec. 9. Sister Haight died at age 94 on Dec. 5, 2004. Sister Haight's husband, Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve, died on July 31, 2004.
President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors in the First Presidency — President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust — spoke at the funeral, as did Sister Haight's children — D. Bruce Haight Jr., Robert P. Haight and Karen Huntsman.
Granddaughters Christena Huntsman Durham, Kathleen Huntsman Huffman and Jennifer Huntsman Parkin, stood at the pulpit together and shared personal experiences that portrayed their feelings about Sister Haight and her character. Several dozen of Elder and Sister Haight's great-grandchildren sang "Lord, I would Follow Thee," and great-granddaughter Mary Anne Huntsman played "Beautiful Savior" on the piano accompanied by violinist Melissa Shipp.
President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, and nine other members of the Quorum of the Twelve, as well as several other General Authorities, attended the funeral.
President Hinckley spoke of his acquaintance with Sister Haight in their youth. "She was a high school associate of mine in that high school where there were a lot of beautiful girls, and she was the shining star," he said.
After high school, Sister Haight attended two years of college before marrying Elder Haight on Sept. 4, 1930, President Hinckley said. "David was impatient. He wouldn't let her finish and get her degree. He thought he could bestow that upon her himself, and he did in a wonderful way."
He acknowledged that the funeral was a time of sorrow, but said, "We know that she's gone to a better sphere. She's rejoined the man she loved, a great and noble and wonderful man who was our dear and gracious friend — David Bruce Haight.
"What a pair they were. What a delightful and wonderful pair. Inseparable; always together. Boosting one another, lifting one another. I never heard David say an unkind word concerning his companion. I have heard him say many, many very generous words concerning her."
Speaking to the Haight family, President Hinckley said, "May the memory of your beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother ever remain with you, green and beautiful and reminding you of her sterling qualities — her great faith in the plan of salvation, her absolute and solid conviction concerning the reality of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. That was the lodestar of her life, and the lodestar of his life. Of that I bear testimony with gratitude and thanksgiving for the opportunity of having known them."
President Monson quoted Proverbs 31:10, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."
Then he said, "Of all the gems, the writer of the Proverb chose the ruby as the most precious and fit that concerning a virtuous woman. Ruby had the right name. Ruby. We love that name."
He continued, "There was no chink in her armor. There was no guile in her soul. There was no flaw in her character."
Referring to the scripture in the funeral program, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (3 John 1:4)," President Monson told Sister Haight's family, "If you keep that in mind, every time the decisions of life come to you, you're going to say to yourselves, 'What would Grandpa David, what would Grandma Ruby have me do?' It's a good guide to follow, and then this wonderful family here can be the same exalted family hereafter."
President Faust compared Sister Haight's characteristics to those of the Prophet Joseph Smith's wife Emma, listed in Doctrine and Covenants 20.
"First, a promise," he said. " 'If thou art faithful and walk in the paths of virtue before me, I will preserve they life.' This promise was honored to Ruby as she did so well.
" 'Thou art an elect lady, whom I have called.' In every respect, Ruby was an elect lady. 'Thy time shall be given . . . to learning much.' Ruby was naturally intelligent and inquisitive. 'Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.' Ruby met every obligation and covenant to the Lord and her family. And having done so, came the promise, 'A crown of righteousness thou shalt receive.' This crown of righteousness is hers and each of you in her family could not have had a better role model."
Sister Haight's children each shared their thoughts on the life of their mother. Sister Huntsman said her mother "not only elevated herself, but those around her."
Second son Brother Robert Haight said his mother's life "was serving others."
Oldest son Brother Bruce Haight said his mother, along with his father, "provided a home of love, stability, encouragement, gospel centered, giving direction and encouragement to their children."
Sister Haight was buried next to her husband in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
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