Harriette McConnel Soule

Comment from Jill Geppert DelGrosso

2009-05-02T07:07:00.001-07:00

Susan, what a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Thoughts are with you and your family...

Jill Geppert DelGrosso

Email from June Robinson

2009-05-02T07:05:00.002-07:00

Hello Susan and Trent,
I was saddened to hear of your mother's passing. Harriet was such an inspiration to me....as we had something in common...
We so enjoyed her coming to our circle, Naomi Circle, at the Methodist Church. Much wisdom as well as humor for all of us to enjoy.
How blessed you are that you had "Granma" nearby for your children. I remember how much she enjoyed being so close to you and being part of your life.
I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed her company.....and cheerfulness.
A friend,
June Robinson

Email from Janet McNitt Churm

2009-05-02T07:05:00.001-07:00

Dear Susan, I wanted to send my condolences on the death of your mother. I got to know Happy when we were in junior high at New Brighton, PA. She left to attend high school in New England. My favorite memory is that I went to my first boy/girl party at the McConnell home in Patterson Twp. I always admired that house! Anyway I don't remember much about the party but when it was time for the party to be over, the lights were flicked on and off and our coats were brought out! That was such a clever way to end our party, I always thought. I am glad that you got to spend so much time with your mother - living near her. I hope you and your family are doing well. Sincerely, Janet McNitt Churm

Email from Lou Dean Graham Howard

2009-04-30T21:07:00.001-07:00

Dear Susan,

My name is Lou Dean Howard. I am so glad Nan Fulcher has been able to keep us up-to-date on Harriette's progress. Harriette and I sang
in Wesley Memorial UMC choir, were in the High Point Branch AAUW, and attended a NC State AAUW Convention together. She was one of the most delightful persons I have ever known.

True Story:
Harriette worked at the High Point Library, but had been out during surgery and treatment. She had returned to work when I went to the library one day. I went to her desk to ask a question. Could I get my question answered or even heard? Not at all, because Harriette had everyone around her laughing uncontrollably. Before I left, I was laughing, too, and had completely forgotten my question. I guess I made a trip to the library that day for a good laugh, but it was worth it.

The pictures are great and so typical of the Harriette I knew. She often talked of her children and I am so glad she was able to be near you during the last few years.

The attachment was sent to me three years ago by a young man whose mother was very ill. She was a close friend of mine from second grade through high school - in fact she and I were born the same day in different states. She corresponded with me through him. I was able to visit her about six months before her death when my family and I were back in Arkansas - my home state.

May God bless you and your family, especially during this time.

(Mrs.) Lou Dean Graham Howard
(I am female, but there is nothing about my name that gives a clue. My maiden name is Graham.)

Attached:
DEATH~
WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT!!!
A sick man turned to his doctor
as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said,
"Doctor, I am afraid to die.
Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know?
You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door.
On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,
and as he opened the door,
a dog sprang into the room
and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,
"Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before.
He didn't know what was inside.
He knew nothing except that his master was here,
and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death,
but I do know one thing...
I know my Master is there and that is enough."
++++++++++++++++

May today there be peace within you.
May you trust God that you are exactly
where you are meant to be.
++++++++++++++++++
I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us
to our feet
when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.

2009-04-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

From: Stuart Soule [svsoule@gmail.com]
To: Susan Blizzard
Cc:
I am very sorry she was a good person and will be missed Stu

Post Your Comments Here

2009-04-29T11:36:00.001-07:00

Email from David Barnett

2009-04-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

My dear Susan, David Barnett here (Bob's younger brother, your aunt Betty's brother in law). I was terribly saddened to hear of your Mom's death from your uncle John.

I have not see "Happy" for years (since 1960/August, actaully) but she was always one of my very favorite persons.

Flashback to 1952, when all the McConnel kids and I and possibly my brother Bob trekked over Sleeping Bear from the parking lot to the huge cliff overlooking Lake Michigan;
Beach parties at Point Betsy with roaring driftwood fires, plenty of good Miller Highlife cheer, and your mother's infectious laugh; then fast forward to 1956, when I was studying at Monterey, Calif, and your Mom came out on her "trip West" with Rena (sp), and spent several days there before going down to Oceanside to visit her sister Betty and my brother Bob.

Then finally, in August 1960, again at Crystal Lake, water skiing with your dad and my romantic interest of the moment Ann Bovard...ah, what wonderful times.

Your Mom was a bright, ever cheerful person, absolutely stunning (you resemble her), with wonderfvul vivacity which affected everyone around her.

Her passing as it was, seems a blessing; it is, after all a path we must all eventually take, and she seems to have walked the last moments of it with no pain...please accept my most sincere sympathy...your Mom was one of the nicest persons I have ever know...David Barnett

Bill Barnett: Pls give a copy to your Mother
Gwen Barnes: Pls give a copy to your Mom

Harriette McConnel Soule Photos

2009-04-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

Approx. 1986-1990

Click here to see more photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/blizzards4/Mom02#5329390550976180770

https://picasaweb.google.com/111858174876499547782/Mom02?authkey=Gv1sRgCNCQxJPa4Nyd8gE#

or here: http://picasaweb.google.com/SourDove.yahoo.com

Harriette McConnel Soule Obituary

2009-04-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

Harriette Bruce McConnel Soule

Harriette Soule, 75, died peacefully on April 22, 2009 in Glenwood Springs, CO from complications of ovarian cancer. She was still active, despite living with ovarian cancer for over 10 yrs.

Harriette, or Happy, as she was known, was born in Rochester, PA on November 23, 1933 to Stewart Phillips and Katherine Orr (Bovard) McConnel. She was raised in Patterson Heights, in Beaver Falls, PA. She graduated from Abbot (Phillips) Academy in Andover, MA and received a B.A. in English from Connecticut College in 1955.

Happy taught high school English in Hartford, CT and Hilliard, OH before marrying Craig Soule in August 1959 in Frankfort, MI. After her divorce in 1971, she returned to Patterson Heights to raise her three children as a single mother. She continued to teach high school and later was a substitute teacher for Blackhawk School District. She was active in the League of Women Voters and AAUW.

When her daughter began college at Duke University in 1985, Harriette moved to High Point, NC. She worked at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church as the music director’s assistant, and for many years as a business section librarian at High Point Public Library. She retired in 2003 and moved the next year to Glenwood Springs to help raise her grandchildren.

Harriette was well known for her beautiful soprano voice in the church choir. She never stopped learning, read many books and periodicals, enjoyed drawing, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She adored her grandchildren and throughout her life was a great mother to her three children. She shared many summers with her family and siblings on Crystal Lake, near Frankfort, MI. She will be buried nearby in Benzie County.

Harriette is survived by her son David Soule of San Francisco, CA, son Peter Soule of Collinsville, IL, daughter Susan (Trent) Blizzard, and grandchildren Toby and Callie Blizzard of Glenwood Springs, sister Betty Barnett of Cadillac, MI, brother Stewart (Phil) McConnel, Jr., of Hudson, OH, brother John (Susan) McConnel of Vancouver, WA, and brother Bill (Kiki) McConnel of Fox Chapel, PA. Her nieces and nephews are Kathy, Bob, Bill and Jim Barnett, Stephen McConnel, Heather (Jeremy) Burne, Ian McConnel, Megan McConnel, Bahra (Kevan) Eddy and Kambra McConnel.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 2^nd, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1630 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs. A reception is to follow at the church after the service. Arrangements are being made by Farnum-Holt Funeral Home, Glenwood Springs. Remembrances can be emailed to susan@blizzardinternet.com or posted at HarrietteSoule.blogspot.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Happy can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10122 www.ocrf.org; American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org; and Hospice of the Valley, PO Box 3768, Basalt, CO 81621.