Lois Bradley Harden

Lois Bradley Wellington Harden passed away early Friday morning July 14. She was born December 4, 1935 in Manchester, NH. She was the oldest of 3 children of Dorothy Evelyn Doud Wellington (who was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants as a direct descendant of William Bradford) and Frederic L. Wellington. Her father was a Boy Scout Executive and they lived in Rochester NY, Wilmington Delaware and Manchester NH while she was growing up.

She graduated from Irondequoit HS in Rochester, NY. She then attended Penn Hall in Chambersburg, PA and graduated in 1956, after that she went to work for the CIA in Washington, DC. , there she met and married Otis. H. (Bud) Harden. They traveled the world with their sons Kenneth and John as well as her intrepid poodles Trouby and Happy in later years. They lived in Nicosia, Cyprus where there was unrest and terrorism during the Cypriot War of Independence with British soldiers in formation patrolling the street in front of her house. They also lived in Bangkok Thailand, Oslo Norway and Clark Air Base in the Philippines where she greeted the returning POWS from Hanoi on the flight line with flowers in 1973. They returned to the states for good in 1974 and began work on their farm, "Timberledge" in Lignum, VA. She also worked at nearby Rapidan River Farm and then at P.J. Williams Co. in Warrenton VA.

She had three major goals in life, having children, traveling overseas and having a horse farm and succeeded at all three. She also enjoyed knitting, bridge, visiting the family place on Chateaugay Lake NY, singing with Culpeper Choral Society in the 60's, she loved sports especially Nationals baseball, Redskins football and auto racing, Denny Hamlin and Joe Gibbs. She also loved her cats through the years, Shadow, Jasper, Susan and Sabrina.

Because of her love of Morgan horses, Lois became an active member of the Old Dominion Morgan Horse Assn. She was also a member of the American Morgan Horse Assn. For many years, she was editor of the club newsletter because of her computer skills. More important was how much time and effort she put into growing the club, greeting new people, getting them involved with club activities. Her many efforts helped the club grow. She enjoyed showing her horses and seeing the many horses that she had raised go on to show as well for their owners. It was a dream come true for her.

She moved to Fredericksburg VA in 1990 and worked at NeoData until her retirement. She also enjoyed spending time with her dear friend Barbara Hewitt at her nearby "Sweet Promise" Morgan horse farm.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Otis H. (Bud) Harden; son, Kenneth E. Harden; brother, Roger Wellington; sister, Linda Wellington.

She is survived by her son, John N. Harden of Reva VA and best friend of over 50 years, Sandy Long of New Market VA.

There are no plans for services at this time. She will be interred at Riverside Cemetery in Rochester NY. with her parents and grandparents.

Special thanks to Sheila Conley of King George for her compassionate caregiving and Dr. Michael Hewitt for his sage guidance.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com for the Harden family.