Josephine Derst Haar, 93, died Saturday, February 05, 2011 at her home in Savannah.

Josephine Derst Haar was born in the family residence above Derst Variety Bakery on Broughton Street which later became Derst Baking Company. She was a lifelong resident of Savannah where she attended public school and later attended Saint Vincent's Academy. She studied ballet in New York City.

Mrs. Haar was a great lover of various causes. She was a Christian and member of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension and a benefactor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a benefactor of Revolutionary and Confederate battlefields. She was a member of the Georgia Historical Society and was a conservationist with a great interest in plants and wildlife. She enjoyed playing and discussing golf.

Mrs. Haar was preceded in death by her husband, George F. Haar; parents, Edward J. Derst, Sr. and Veronica Davis Derst; brother, Edward J. Derst, Jr. and sister, Florence Derst Austin. She is survived by a niece, Catherine Derst Miller George and nephews, Edward J. Derst, III Mildred, D. Morgan Derst, Robert J. Austin Jean, all of Savannah and Derst K. Austin Vickie of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Morgan Derst; several great nieces and nephews and one great great nephew.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday at the Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Savannah Chatham County Humane Society, 7215 Sallie Mood Drive, Savannah, GA 31406.