'Just a great person': Marcia Haynes, longtime community organizer and preservationist dies at age 90

Not too long after she died, longtime Port Huron civic leader Marcia Haynes was being recognized by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network for her lifetime achievement.

"It just seems kind of fitting that she drops the mic, and within a couple hours, she’s receiving yet another award," David Haynes said Monday, citing the host of local and state-level honors his mother earned for her advocacy and volunteerism throughout her life.

“She passed very, very peacefully. In fact, she turned and said, ‘Bye, bye,’ and within moments, she slipped on," he said. "… Then, with the family there, we continued to stay and we streamed the award ceremony.”

A longtime Port Huron civic leader, community organizer, and renowned local historian, Marcia Haynes died Friday. She was 90.

Haynes was a prominent figure in sharing local history and culture — be it as a founding member of and frequent volunteer with the Port Huron Museums, or more recently, remaining active with the Friends of the Pere Marquette Railroad Bridge.

The Port Huron native led historic tours at Lakeside Cemetery over several decades, served on the St. Clair County Community College Board of Trustees in the 1980s and a variety of other boards and groups, and advocated for preserving the historic documents and sites for the community.

She also worked to spread awareness of the need for Alzheimer’s research and resources after her husband Fred was diagnosed in 2006, remaining his caregiver until his death in 2014.

“Underneath the (Blue Water) Bridge, she was involved in that project in saving that when the hotel came into ownership. Then, she was involved with the hospital that is on the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (property). She was involved in the restoration and raising of funds for that project," David Haynes said. "And helping to start the Port Huron Museum …. And just so many different projects that caught her interest. And once it caught her interest, it was off to the races. She would go at it with all of her energy.”

But David Haynes also noted it wasn't just for those things that his mother will be remembered.

“A lot of people from the community know her for being the activist, but she was a great mom," he said. "... Not the greatest cook in the world. She had her other strengths, but just a great person.”

Recalling other memories of longtime Port Huron figure

Nicole Smith said there was seldom a question asked of her grandmother, Marcia Haynes, where she'd answer with a simple yes or no.

The answers were "always so funny and witty," Smith said. She said a typical response to what she called "duh questions" — and in reply to something like preferred dessert topping — might be, "Is the pope Catholic?"

Smith said Haynes had always been like that — she was the fun grandmother — whether she was grabbing cool magazines, candy, or scratch-off lottery tickets for them as kids or more recently embracing technology and getting competitive with Words With Friends.

"It was so fun. I was always so fond of those memories," Smith said.

Local community leaders and figures honored Haynes with a mini-parade past her home on Conger Street to celebrate her 90th birthday in June 2021, recalling her longtime service to the community.

At the time, officials recognized her as a founder of a female civic leaders’ club and for her role in the business community.

Natalie Haynes, also Haynes' granddaughter, said she thought the love for Port Huron her grandmother had was shared with family. Referring to her father, David, who is Port Huron's planning director, she said, “I think he gets a lot of that passion for community" from Marcia.

“She was a big part of the town in general. I don’t think there’s anyone who knows more about Port Huron than my grandma, really," Natalie said. "She would take me all around town and tell me all about the history, and not only the history of the town or her history but my grandfather’s history. She knew about his family more than, I think, my grandpa did.”

Haynes is survived by her three children, grandchildren, and other loved ones.

David Haynes said they were planning to host services sometime in June through Grace Church.

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Marcia Haynes, community organizer and preservationist, dies at 90