Obituary of Harriet J. Reed

Harriet J. Reed passed away peacefully on December 6. She was married to Everett Reed for 59 years before his passing ten years ago. Harriet was born in Darligton, Wisconsin in 1922. Upon graduating from high school at 16, she went to business school and then worked for the bus company in Beloit, WI as a secretary. She met Everett when she was in Wisconsin for naval training during WWII. They were married in NY City just before Everett was deployed and they moved to Pembroke when he was discharged from the Navy. Though she worked part time for five years at the Bryantville PO, Harriet's main occupation was homemaker, providing a loving home for her family. She took great pride in her home with lovely gardens, crewel pictures and braided rugs that she made. She loved sewing for her daughter and granddaughters. Her specialties were Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and hand smocked dresses, such labors of love. She and Everett also enjoyed going to all her children and grandchildren's athletic events and performances. They kept chairs in the car ever-ready to attend a softball, baseball, basketball, or soccer game. All the players on the teams knew Mr. and Mrs. Reed. WWII had a great impact on Harriet's life. Her four brothers and her husband served in the war. Sadly, only three of her brothers came home. Her son, Dennis, also served two tours in Vietnam. This greatly fostered her patriotism and pride in service. She and Everett were original members of the Pembroke Support Team during the first Iraq war and she was a member of the Legion Auxiliary. Together she and Everett could be seen in Pembroke Center tending the garden at the intersection. She also worked at the Pembroke Food Pantry for twenty two years, was a greeter at the Council on aging and was Everett's personal secretary. Before the age of computers, she typed all his correspondence on her Royal typewriter and those who knew Everett know that this was no small task. Friends and family will miss Harriet's cards for every occasion. She wasn't one for talking on the phone, but she was ever ready with words of congratulations, encouragement, or thankfulness. She will be missed by her family and friends. Harriet is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Bernie Dupuis and her daughter-in-law Joan Reed and her family. She leaves two granddaughters, Melissa Dupuis of Honolulu, and Christine Hodson and her husband John of Exeter, NH, and a grandson Michael and his wife Meg of Grand Isle, VT, She also leaves three great grandchildren whom she loved dearly, Ben and Andrew Hodson and Aiko Dupuis. She was pre deceased by her husband Everett and her son Dennis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pembroke Food Pantry, PO Box 295, Pembroke, MA 02359. Visiting Hours will be held at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 7 Mattakeesett St. Pembroke on Friday, December 11, from 4:00 to 8:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph he Worker Church in Hanson on Saturday, December 12, at 11:00AM. Internment will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Pembroke.