- (June 2007) SALISBURY, N.C. - Vicki Kaye Heilig, a longtime active preservationist and member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), died of cancer on May 2 at age 61.

Ed Wenzel of the Chantilly Battlefield Association told Civil War News, Heilig was "a wonderful person and a staunch ally of preservation." She was an original board member of Save the Battlefield Coalition, the grassroots group led by the late Annie Snyder that mobilized to protect Manassas Battlefield.

Wenzel, who is the coalition's vice president, remembers Heilig as a bubbly go-getter, full of enthusiasm, who would go out of her way to help with anything.

There was another side. "She loved North Carolina. She was a Tar Heel through and through," he said, "and a big Dallas Cowboys fan."

Betty Rankin, who was also an original Save the Battlefield Coalition board member, as was the late Brian Pohanka, said Heilig "really believed in preservation." She was a driving force during the 1988 battle to protect Manassas and on later issues. "She made the trek over from Maryland to every board meeting," recalled Rankin, who now leads the Coalition.

"She was a dynamic lady and she will be missed. Her death is another blow for the preservation community." Heilig was the UDC's historian general from 2002 to 2004 and a recipient of the organization's Jefferson Davis Medal. She also served as the District of Columbia division president from 1992 to 1994 and 1998 to 2002 and as president of the Robert E. Lee Chapter # 644 of Richmond.

UDC member Martha Boltz of Virginia reminisced about Heilig with The Washington Times. She recalled Heilig's sense of humor and related how, after Congress denied renewal of the UDC's insignia patent, Heilig delivered pecan pies to senators who supported the group.

She helped lead the UDC's annual memorial ceremony at the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery and the ceremony honoring Robert E. Lee's birthday in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

Heilig was a close friend of historian James I. Bud Robertson who told The Washington Times, "She knew every avenue of Civil War history that exists. She was always there giving so much and never asking for anything in return except a thank-you."

According to The Times, Heilig founded the Montgomery County Civil War Round Table in Gaithersburg, Md., more than 20 years ago after another round table rejected her because women were not allowed. UDC President General Janice Langford told The Times, "She will be deeply missed, and her ready smile and twinkling eyes will always be with us. She is a marvelous example of the reason our motto is 'Love Makes Memory Eternal.' "

Heilig was a native of Salisbury and a graduate of Pfeiffer College. She had a master's degree from the College of William & Mary. She retired as a programmer from IBM in 1997. She also played the piano and organ at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Salisbury.

She is survived by a brother, niece and nephews. The funeral service was held May 5 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, followed by burial in Rowan Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr. Greensboro, NC 27407, or to the UDC Robert E. Lee Chapter # 644, 328 N. Blvd. Richmond, VA 23220-4009.