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LILYAN KATHERINE HAIGH Lilyan Katherine Haigh gently left us November 11, 2016. She died at home in Arcata surrounded by three generations of her much loved family. She was laughing and telling stories up until her final hours. She lived a long joyful life and we miss her. Born in Queens (NYC) April 5, 1922, she married Gerard Haigh and graduated with a BA in Food/ Nutrition from Queens College in 1943. During WWII she was head dietician at Norwich State Hospital (CT). Between 1946 and 1954 she produced five children: four sons, one daughter. Raising this brood in the 1950's and 1960's was quite a challenge. We moved from Chicago to Springfield, MA to Topeka, to Scottsdale, and then Topanga, CA. She managed to survive the 1960's with five teenagers and went on to earn an MA in education at UCLA. She was director of several preschools and administrator of MERCI school in Monterey Park. She taught extension courses in education at UCLA and Long Beach City College. Lilyan had a life-long love of theatre and enjoyed acting in amateur productions. She enjoyed hiking, bird watching, bicycling, gourmet cooking, reading and traveling. Lilyan lived the last 15 years of her life in Arcata where she was active in AAUW, several book clubs and St. Albans Episcopal Church. As matriarch of our family she is survived by five children, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren: her daughter Jeri Lou Oliphant (Skip), grandson Nathan Oliphant (Jennifer), greats Lillianne and Aaron and fox terrier Daisy, her sons David (Suzanne) CA, Chris (Jane) NH, Alan (Rachel) NY, Doug (Celina) Kauai, her grandkids Anna, Molly, Zach, Austin, Elliott, and greats Dante, Jonah, Evan. A celebration of Lilyan's life will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church, 1675 Chester Ave., Arcata on Sat. Dec. 3 at 2pm. In honor of her life, donations can be made to St. Albans, the American Association of University Women, or the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com
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3 Entries
A truly lovely lady!
Jo
November 21, 2023
Delightful memories abound as I recall working with Lilyan at MERCI. That seems like such a long time ago, but it appears she enjoyed longevity, and what a wonderful matriarch she must have been to all in the family. I send my deepest condolences knowing the treasured memories will present themselves daily. God bless.
Josephine Hunter
March 18, 2018
Thank you for writing this tribute. My thoughts are with you.
Chip Sharpe
November 27, 2016
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