Preservationist Eve Haim dies at 59

Eve Haim always liked a packed house.

She once hosted a Hanukkah get-together for 135 people. She was one of nine children and a mother of four. She provided a temporary home for two French foreign exchange students, master's students who needed a place to stay, and groups of neighborhood kids who needed a baby sitter.

The historical preservationist, 59, from Sea Cliff was known as the center of the community, said those who knew her. It may be no surprise, then, that her funeral in Woodbury Monday was filled with those who knew and loved her.

More than 200 people gathered to say goodbye to Haim, who died of bone cancer Sunday. During her fight, friends, family, and members of the community left comments and words of support on a blog, evehaim.weebly.com, maintained by Haim's daughter Tovah.

According to Haim's husband, Bob, the blog, which is still open, received 600 to 700 hits per day.

Haim was president of the Sea Cliff Landmarks Association, board member of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, member of the Sea Cliff Beautification Committee and a board member of the Civic Association. She also wrote four books on Sea Cliff's historic buildings and published an online newsletter called the Sea Cliff Tattler.

"It had a larger circulation than both of our local newspapers," Bob Haim said with a laugh.

Friends said Haim was both a keen researcher with a deep passion for her career as well as a devoted family woman.

"The energy that emanated from her was very inspiring," said Naomi Curtis, chairwoman of the landmark commission, who worked alongside Haim.

Haim was able to fundraise $40,000 in four years to replace Sea Cliff's Central Park. Co-workers say she was a fierce researcher with a keen eye for details, and was adept at finding information quickly.

"She had such a tremendous impact on the village," said Curtis.

Haim's love for historic architecture translated into her home life as well.

"She was so full of enthusiasm and passion for preserving historic houses that her own house was almost a museum," said Nancy Solomon, director of Long Island Traditions of Port Washington, who worked with Haim at Sea Cliff's Landmark Commission.

Along with Bob Haim, Eve Haim is survived by children Dan, Tovah, Gabriel and Talia, granddaughter Celeste and her two daughters-in-law, who are both expecting children.