Elvira Haden

A celebration of the life for Elvira Clara Pike-Haden, 94, was held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011, at Agape Senior Community in Lexington. The memorial service was officiated by Chaplain Kevin Lee Pike and Chaplain John Lopez. Interment will be in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, at Locustwood Cemetery on Wednesday, September 7, 2011.

Mrs. Haden was born on June 7, 1917, at their row house home in Camden, NJ, a daughter of the late Edward Muller and Melaine Muller.

Mrs. Haden was a devoted wife and mother of great faith who loved her family and was greatly loved. Tutu, as she was affectionately called by her family and close friends, loved and lived life. She was well-read, extremely knowledgeable and enjoyed music, art, theater, travel, cooking, gardening, dining, table games, conversation, and watching football. She was a woman of integrity, courage, strength, grace, and beauty. Elvira had the gift of hospitality and was quick to extend a warm welcome, always sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. She would boldly come to the defense of persons being mistreated. Her humble yet charismatic nature attracted many who called her friend, and Elvira was a loyal and true friend. She brightened a room with her smile, enjoyed laughter, had a great sense of humor and loved sharing a good joke. Her generosity and compassion was unending and her nature of forgiveness was ever present.

Elvira was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Howard Eugene Pike, Jr., her husband of 20 years, Dr. Linwood Haden, her sister Eleanor Muller, and her great-grandson Jonathan Michael Pike.

Survivors are her daughter, Susan (Jim) Gass of Lexington; her son Howard (Cathy) Pike of Lexington; granddaughter, Janice (Bob) Voight of Rochester, MN; grandson, Vernon Gass of Columbia; granddaughter, Tuesday Frase of Dover, TN; grandson, David (Sandra) Pike of Jersey City, NJ; grandson, Kevin Pike of Lexington; granddaughter, Jennifer (Chris) Newkirk of Inglewood, CA; granddaughter Julie (Jacob) Jones of Oceanside, CA; 7 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.