Phyllis Anne Wilber Haig, 80, a native of Yolo County, passed away at Courtyard Health Care Center on the morning of May 15, 2009.
Phyllis was born in Woodland, CA on September 25, 1928, to Harrison Marden Wilber and Eloise Hare Wilber. A graduate of UCLA, she opened her own business, Haig Interiors, and decorated homes for local residents for approximately 30 years until retirement. She met her ex-husband, Arthur Haig, locally, married and later had a son in 1958.
As a descendent of one of the original settlers of Davis, Phyllis always had a great love of local history. Her great grandfather, William Harrison Marden settled in Yolo County in 1850 and moved to Davisville in 1868. She was active in many local history organizations in Yolo County, including the Yolo County Historical Society (newsletter editor for over 20 years), Woodland Opera House, Davis Historical and Landmarks Commission, Tremont Mite Society, Yolo County Historical Museum, the Gibson House in Woodland, and founding director of the Hattie Weber Museum of Davis.
Phyllis co-authored the book Images of America, Davis, CA, 1910s-1940s with John Lofland and was acknowledged in Mr. Loflands book, Davis, Radical Changes, Deep Constants. In addition, she was acknowledged in Joann Leach Larkeys book, Davisville 68, The History and Heritage of The City of Davis Yolo County, California for her time spent compiling pioneer biographies and preparing the manuscript.
Using her design and research talents, Phyllis created local history exhibits for the Yolo County Courthouse, the Springlake Schoolhouse at the fair grounds, the Gibson House Museum in Woodland, and the library, City Hall, and Hattie Weber Museum in Davis.
Phyllis was a long-time member of Soroptimist Club, including receiving the award of Soroptomist of the Year in both 1986 and 1992.
When her son was active in 4-H, Phyllis was the Davis 4-H Club Community Leader from 1969 to 1977.
In 1991, she was honored by Yolo County for her years of contributing significantly to the preservation of local historic resources and for creating exhibits to give viewers a better understanding of the meaning of local history. She was commended for creating a visual expression of our communitys composite memory, by sharing her professional interior design talents as exhibit designer, artist, historian and interpreter of local history since the opening of the Historical Museum in 1976.
In 2001, she received a Preservation Award from the City of Davis (Historical Resources Management Commission) for her outstanding contributions in promotion awareness of Davis historical heritage through her long sustained volunteer activities as a preservation advocate, researcher, and historical museum curator.
In March 2009, Phyllis was presented by Davis Mayor Pro Tem Don Saylor with the California State Legislature Certificate of Recognition for her contribution to the establishment of the Hattie Weber Museum in Davis.
Phyllis continued her search for ancestor and local history, and community activities, after retirement until metastasized breast cancer slowed her down at the age of 78.
Phyllis is survived by her son, David Marden Haig, and her brother, Marden Wilber, Jr. A funeral service will be held Friday, May 22, 10:30 a.m. at Davis Cemetery. A reception will follow in the Fireside room at Davis Community Church. Those wishing to make a contribution in her memory are asked to consider any Yolo County historical society or museum, Yolo Hospice, or Susan G. Komen for the Cure.