Audrey B. Haig's Obituary
Audrey Browning Haig, who valued and cherished her life as wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, died on May 14, 2020. Audrey was 88 years old. She was born in Camden, NJ on May 29, 1931. She graduated from Merchantville H.S. and attended Mount Holyoke College, in MA.
She married William R. Haig in September 6, 1952 and began what was to be 50 magnificent years. They were true partners in the journey through life and complimented all aspects of each other in an endearing and lovely way.
After her husband’s brief military service in Bangor, Maine, they moved to Merchantville, NJ where he started his dental career and she managed the office. In the early years Audrey was a medical technologist but soon became a valued administrator for her husband’s dental practice while they raised their three children. In the 90s, after her children were adults, she went back to college and proudly finished her degree in Biology from Thomas Edison State College.
Mom was very proud of her Letson family genealogy. Upwards of 100 family members attended Thanksgiving each year in southern New Jersey. The Haig family was not permitted to miss the Thanksgiving festivities. We are probably one of the only families whose potential spouses had to be introduced and approved by the clan, and when new babies arrived, it was every member’s responsibility to know exactly how the new addition was related. Focus on family was very important.
For two decades throughout the 80s and 90s, the Haigs opened their home each summer to dozens of international friends. During this period they developed life-long friendships which continued over the years with reciprocal travel around the world.
Audrey and Bill were convinced by good friends to summer in Beach Haven and they joined Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club the late 60s. That was the start of a fabulous chapter in their lives. Over the next 40 years Audrey (and Bill) donated so much of their energy and goodwill to the Club and the membership. She was involved in many aspects of the club, partnering with her husband. She served as the unofficial Mom-a-Dore helping him behind the scenes during his Commodore years. They chaired socials, assisting in running regattas or just enjoyed the activities of the Club.
She and Bill retired to Beach Haven in 1995 where they enjoyed quieter years of island life and travelled the world with good friends. After Bill passed away in 2002, she continued to travel with friends, and she became a member of the Beach Haven Historical Society and stayed active in the LBI Garden Club. In 2014 she moved to an assisted living facility until her passing on May 14, 2020.
Audrey is predeceased by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. William J. Browning, and her brothers, Dr. William J. Browning, and Mr. Kempton Browning. She is survived by her children, Jean (Bob Jr.), Laura (Jay) and John (Amy), as well as her adored grandchildren, Jamie (Kevin), Jill (Mike), Jody (Scott), Kelly (Chad), Billy (Courtney) , Bob III., Michael (Emily), John (Annie), Emily and Dana. She has been blessed with great grandchildren, Juliana, Skyler, Aubrey, Summer, Grace, Tristan, Mason, Hadley, Thomas, Bob IV, Jaxon, and Gregor. A life well lived.
A future memorial service will be announced on our website.
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