Harriet N. Whittelsey's Obituary
Harriet Nelson Whittelsey died peacefully in Tucson, AZ on March 12, 2015. Her husband of 49 years, "Chick" (Souther) Whittelsey, died in 1990. Harriet was born in Bridgeport, CT, on April 8, 1916. She is survived by her three children, Harry (Frances) Whittelsey of Huntington, NY, Gale (Steve) Sherman of Tucson, AZ and Neil/Nils (Jenne) Whittelsey of North Ferrisburg, VT; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Baba, as many knew her, was greatly loved and will be missed by family and friends. She graduated from Stamford (CT) High School and the Greenwich Hospital Nursing School. She was proud to be the daughter of Scandinavian immigrants and comfortable making her place in Greenwich, CT, her home for 73 years. Harriet was passionate about sex education and mental health services. She served on the Board of Directors of the Greenwich Health Association for decades. She went back to full-time work in her mid-fifties as the Volunteer Service Coordinator for 20 years at the Fairfield Hills (CT) Psychiatric Hospital. Growing up as tomboy, Harriet easily transitioned to the Whittelsey sports minded family. She helped raise a family of skiers and sailors. Harriet taught her children how to ride a bike, only for them to later discover she never had ridden a bike herself. Harriet was made an Honorary Member of Indian Harbor Yacht Club in 1991. She raced with her husband on their Luders-16 and with the Ladies Sailing Association in her dinghy "Squeak." Throughout her life she was also an active bowler, enjoyed oil painting, gardening and was an avid reader. Harriet lived in Tucson, AZ for the past eight years. She continued painting and reading and loved the Sonoran Desert despite its extreme contrast to the green and lush Greenwich she knew so well. A private burial is planned. The family wishes to thank the wonderful caring staff at Via Elegante Assisted Living where Harriet lived for the last 20 months and the Agape Hospice team. If you are moved to memorialize Harriet, please consider Save the Sound, 142 Temple Street, Suite 305, New Haven, CT. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY.
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