Jane Sheble Haigh

Jane Sheble Haigh, departed this life Oct. 22, 2005.

She is survived by her husband of fifty-seven years, Robert W. Haigh, her four children and their spouses, and nine grandchildren. The four children and their families are: Cindy, and her husband, Stan Durtan, and their two children Lindsay Jane and Kate, and Lindsay's husband, Kurt Friesen; Anne, and her husband, William Miller, and their three children Meredith, Ashley, and Laurel; Bob Jr., and his wife, Karen Haigh, and their two children Kirsten and Lauren; and Barbara and her husband, David Fittro, and their two children Taylor Robert and Sarah Jane.

Jane was born in Philadelphia and grew up on an apple farm near Reading. In 1944, she went to Bucknell University where she met the love of her life, Bob. While in college, Jane founded a Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Jane graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Jane and Bob married in 1948 and moved to Boston. In the first two years of their marriage, Jane worked at the Harvard Herbarium. In 1950, she began a different full time job - raising four children. Bob's career took the family to many places: New York City, Tulsa, Cleveland, New Canaan, Connecticut, and Charlottesville, which has been their home for the last twenty-five years.

Highly organized, Jane orchestrated moves, saw children settled in new schools, supported Bob in the inevitable ups and downs of corporate life, and kept her own life rich and meaningful through volunteer work.

When her children were growing up, Jane was involved in activities to support them: Girl Scouts, PTA, and the youth group at church. Jane also served as a Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville; was a Faculty Advisor to the Darden Spouses at the University of Virginia, and was active in her local Kappa Chapter , wherever she lived.

She had a wide circle of friends, enjoyed Bridge, and was an avid UVa sports fan. Jane's greatest joy was spending time with her family and keeping abreast of her grandchildren's lives.

Jane will be missed and mourned, but also celebrated for her meaningful life. She leaves behind a wealth of people enriched by having known her, and a family grateful for her deep and unconditional love.

A memorial service for Jane Haigh will be held 10 a.m., Oct. 27, 2005, at the First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville. There will be a private committal at the Columbarium at the University of Virginia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902.

Hill and Wood Funeral Home is assisting the family.