Community mourns loss of a 'gentle woman': Harriet Field

By Rhonda Westfall

The community lost a gentlewoman - and a gentle woman - last week.

Harriet Field, whose smiling face and willing hands were evident in many volunteer endeavors, passed away March 14. She was 78.

A transplant from neighboring Eaton County where she grew up, Harriet merged quickly into the areas of service that she enjoyed most after arriving in St. Johns in 1953 with her husband, Max, and their family.

The petite - but strong-willed - businesswoman was the solid rock behind the man who guided the St. Johns Reminder into a position of respectability among local publications, preferring to remain in the background as co-owner of the business for more than 40 years.

Her family, church, and dedication to whatever community project she took part in was a driving force throughout her life. Pastor Steve Weinberger, who had the pleasure of seeing her gift for serving others many times over the years in activities at the First United Methodist Church, attests to that fact.

"Harriet, along with her God, wrote a grand symphony of life with the crescendos of loving and caring for family, friends, church, and the St. Johns community while remaining quietly in the background - that's her legacy to us," Pastor Weinberger says.

"It's a symphony to be played in our hearts and lived out in our lives forever."

A member of the United Methodist Women's group, Harriet served on the church board, taught Sunday School, worked on a variety of committees, and was a "friendly visitor" to shut-ins and persons in nursing homes.

"Her smiling face was present in so many places," Pastor Weinberger says.

The same attributes are recalled by Catherine Rumbaugh, director of the Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum where Harriet served as a volunteer guide on many occasions.

"Harriet was always a willing worker and enjoyed serving as a docent," Rumbaugh says of her friend who was also a member of the Clinton County Historical Society. "Whenever I got in a pinch at the Museum, she always came.

"She took on so many things, and wore so many different hats - she will really be missed."

One of those hats was a "sun bonnet," worn as a enthusiastic gardener and member of the Mint Country Garden Club. Harriet's green thumb was evident in her own backyard and in work projects at Hazel Findlay Manor and Mt. Rest Cemetery.

"We did flower beds together every year at the Manor and the Cemetery," says Ruth LeBlond, a fellow planter and Club member. "Her own yard was her little haven - especially after Max died a few years ago; it was very important to her.

"She really delighted in flower gardens and plants of all kinds, and enjoyed bringing the cheer of flowers to others."