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Harriet Denham Hanrahan Harman of Huntington, WV, passed away peacefully at Emogene Dolin Jones Hospice House on April 30th, 2016. Harriet was born to Evelyn Adelia Emerson and Earl Lamar Denham on April 13, 1930 in Hernando, Mississippi. She graduated from Hernando High School in 1948 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1952 with her B.A. in English. She went on to complete her M.A. in Special Education and her M.S. in Counseling at Marshall University. Harriet was an active member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and served as a District President. Harriet worked for the Cabell County School District as a teacher and counselor from 1965 until she retired in 1998. It was often said that she flunked retirement, as her call to service stretched beyond the bounds of employment. A gift to all whose lives she touched, Harriet's passions in life were to help and to serve, and these aspirations did not cease when her job did. In more recent years, you could find Harriet enjoying a great book in the company of a great cat (or two), in her home with the people she loved. She celebrated her last birthday surrounded by generations of loving family who will miss her dearly. She is survived by her half-brother, Earl (Hema) Denham, and her children by her former husband Edward Stephenson "Steve" Hanrahan: Dr. Veronica Stephenson Hanrahan Heide (Parry) of Madison WI, Katherine Hanrahan, Elizabeth Emerson Hanrahan and daughter by choice Emma Suratt Walters of Huntington WV; Two grandchildren, David Parry Heide (Tiffany) of Madison WI, Anne Lendon Heide (Michael Wendt) of Milwaukee WI, and three great-grandchildren: Liliana Grace Heide and Charles Marshall Heide of Madison, WI., and Judah Stephenson Wendt of Milwaukee, WI.
The family would like to thank two special physicians: Dr. Ralph Stevens, and Dr. Jane Kurucz for the loving care they provided to Harriet and the family. Services will be held Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Enslow Park Presbyterian Church, 1338 Enslow Blvd, Huntington, WV. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. and the service in celebration of Harriet's life will start at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Harriet's memory to Enslow Park Presbyterian Church or to the charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by anonymous.
May 15, 2016
Julianne McGinnis
Harriet was indeed a steel magnolia. She had a unique blend of grace and charm with just the right dash of mischief and fun. She always made you feel she was interested in what you were doing. I especially recall her coming early to my grand rounds to show support as a counselor and mentor. I will especially miss her laugh. My loving memory always.
May 15, 2016
Dick Ash
Harriet was such a great lady to talk with. When I would call to talk to Elizabeth about plans to do something with me and my wife and Harriet would answer, I couldn't just ask for Elizabeth. Harriet always had something to say that was interesting and/or day-brightening. She also.had such a great career in the school system and I'm glad she was my niece's counselor in the 8th grade.
May 15, 2016
Robin Ash
Well Harriet, who is going to tell me they're proud of me now. You always took time to let me know. Thanks for letting me be a part of your life. Us sister sororitys have to stick together. I know you are so proud of your girls and I know they were so proud of you. Watch out after us and we will watch out after each other. I'll miss you, rest eternal your work has won.
May 15, 2016
Diana Samples-Caudill
Please accept my condolences on the loss of a wise and dear loved one. I will remember her for her positive and inspirational disposition. She was always willing to encourage me down life's path in such a calming manner. Thank you, Harriet.
May 15, 2016
Judy and I would like to convey our condolences to the Hanrahan/Harman family.
Sincerely, Len and Judy Deutsch.
May 14, 2016
Harriet Frances Sartor Powell Gorove
My mother's first cousin, Harriet Hanrahan Harman, left this temporary home to be in her forever heavenly home. She and I had a special bond and relationship and I will hold our memories close to heart always as we were named for her grandmother, my great grandmother, Harriet Whitley Emerson. Harriet had the most wonderful smile and warmed my heart just to be around her. She had a way of making me feel special in this world, partly due to our common heritage but mostly because of her kind and gentle spirit. I will miss her sweet voice and uplifting words of encouragement during our long conversions via telephone. Thanks be to God for her life, her love and her endearing place in this earthly home. I will love you always.
Most Fondly, Your Namesake♡
May 14, 2016
Brenda Bond
To Harriet's Family: I was so saddened to read about the loss of Harriet. She was a dear angel who came into my life after I was diagnosed with breast cancer(1998). She encouraged and counseled me & I made it through it all. She even took me to lunch one day. I am sure that she helped many, many, others trying to cope, as she had been through it herself. I lost touch after she moved from Washington Blvd. I mentioned her in my book, "Front Porch Sketches" published in 2012. May she rest in peace, and may her memory live on. God Bless.
May 14, 2016
Bonnie Thuma Henn
My sincere condolences to Elizabeth and her family on the loss of her lovely mother. I still have the books she so graciously gave to me thru my years in Huntington and treasure the wisdom she shared in counseling those with disabilities. She touched my life and I am sure that she left the world a better place. She will be missed.
May 13, 2016
Irvin Scarberry
My friend, I shall always remember the smiles you shared with me in our retirees group and your kind manner when we worked together as volunteers. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I say to all, you were one great friend, educator and colleague.
May 13, 2016
Peggy Emerson
It seems only yesterday that Harriet and I were growing up in Hernando, MS, with our other Emerson relatives. I remember Harriet, my older cousin, as a "big sister". We had the same grandparents, DeeDoc and MeeMaw (or Dr.Angus and Hattie Emerson). Harriet's mother, Evelyn Denham, was my daddy's sister. We all lived in a circle of houses behind the Baptist Church. We loved to play on the bales of cotton in DeeDoc's backyard and to eat watermelon on the back steps of his house.
Harriet often called me to come to her house and bake cookies. I was thrilled! But then she would send me into the dark pantry to get flour, and my heart would race! Still, I anticipated eagerly her calls to come and bake those cookies.
When Harriet was away at college, she called and invited me to come down to Ole Miss to attend a dance as her guest. She recruited one of her friends to be my date...a gorgeous basketball player! As a sophomore in high school, I couldn't have been more thrilled!
When I later lived in New York City and attended Columbia University, Harriet was just a short train ride away, in Wilmington Deleware. I was able to spend two special Thanksgivings with her family. I also remember attending two football games while I was there.
After I began teaching at The University of Mississippi, I remember Harriet coming down to do counseling with Tornado victims after nearby Pontotoc was struck by a devastating tornado. Later she came with her daughter Elizabeth to help me celebrate at my retirement party from the University.
I loved, respected, and admired my cousin Harriet. Even though we lived miles apart, I always felt very close to her. I will miss her so-o-o much!
May 12, 2016
Cindy Leigh
Growing up in Hernando, MS, my family
Lived at the bottom of the hill across from the front of the school, and Harriet and her family lived at the top of the hill across from the side of the school. Since Harriet was about 13 years older than I, my earliest memories were of a teenager...with a bit of "hero worship" involved. Later, when I was a teenager working at the local swimming pool, Harriet returned to visit her mother with one, then two, then three children in tow. That was great for me, because I had the honor of working with Veronica and Kathy in my swimming classes, and I got to know them better. Eventually I moved away from Hernando, too, and to Oxford, MS.
Harriet's cousins, Peggy Emerson and Betsy Sartor Both live in Oxford, too. During the years, Harriet has come to visit several times. Once she came to do relief work and made time to visit with us. Once Harriet and Elizabeth drove down for Peggy's retirement party at The University of Mississippi.The latest visit was when Hsrriet brought her grandson Parry Heide and other members of her family to Oxford to explore the local restaurants and our Southern/New Orleans style cuisine. Parry now has his own restaurant!
In recent years, I have corresponded with Harriet via email and Facebook. We have shared memories, stories, and something of day-to-day life in Mississippi and West Virginia. Her positive spirit and sense of humor were refreshing. We will all miss her and look forward to seeing her again in the great beyond! My prayers are for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and for their memories that can give them comfort.
May 12, 2016
Toni Moore Walls
Ms. Hanrahan blessed my life as my counselor in high school. She helped me through a very rough time with a teacher and a life situation. I often think of her and the impact she made on me.
My sympathy to her family.
May 11, 2016
This is The Ricky Leigh Family in Hernando, Mississippi. We lived here in town where Ms Harriet lived for a long time, and we were good friends with her, her mom and her dad, Mr. McLendon. We just loved them. My dad, Ebbie Leigh, had a drugstore on the square in Hernando, and Harriets Family owned the Emerson Building at the time. They were always like our family, they were so kind to my family. I re hooked up with Ms. Harriet, through Dr. Peggy Emerson. Ms. Harriet and I became freinds on Email and the web. She was always such a positive uplifting sort of person. She would always make me feel better after having talked to her. She was a real sweetie pie. We loved her so. Our hearts and prayers are with all of her friends and family. God be with you. We send our dearest sympathy to your family.
Most Respectfully,
The Ricky Leigh Family
131 West Valley Street
Hernando, Mississippi, 38632
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