Harriet M. Aitken

Harriet was born December 12, 1935 to William Byrne Meriwether and Harriet Antoinette Adams Meriwether, named Harriet Antoinette Meriwether, after her mother and nicknamed “Toni.” She graduated from Bishop Toolen Catholic High School for Girls in 1953 in Mobile, Al. Her father was stationed in the Coast Guard on the U.S. Alabama in Juneau, Alaska which led to Toni’s travel and time living in Alaska. Returning to Mobile, Toni married Harold A. Meeler and became step-mother to Susan and Janet Meeler. They moved to Florida in 1962 and lived on Merritt Island.

Toni graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Atlantic University in 1967. She became self-employed under a number of contracts as a secretary, office manager or instructor, and was Director of Business Training International a CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) program until it ended in 1981. Toni taught Accounting at Merritt High School and taught Computer Word Processing, Accounting and Secretarial courses at Brevard Community College until she retired.

Toni was an avid student of the scriptures, teaching Bible Studies, and editing books for local Biblical scholars, such as John Mansur. She was active in a number of churches and organizations, like the Women’s Lutheran Missionary League, was a Stephen Minister, Active with Rockledge Church of the Nazarene, A Certified Rocketeer (at George C. Marshall Space Flight Center), the National Republican Committee, NRA Member, Member of the Association for Professional Secretaries International and Administrative Office Professionals ( appearing as program speaker for their “Design Your Future Seminar” in the Florida Chapter. ), and for her presentation at their “Effective Business Communication Seminar.“ She also was an active part of Passionate Truth Ministries and a member of Grace Fellowship Church.

Toni was very adventurous and took flying lessons so she could pilot a plane for pleasure. After her marriage ended in divorce, after almost 30 years, she prayed God would send her another husband, a prayer He answered. God blessed her with William Thor Aitken, another WWII veteran. They married in October of 1996 and Toni moved to Rockledge, Fl where she lived until her death.

William (Bill) was also very adventurous and the two of them spent time sailing together, as well as racing the sailboat. Bill proceeded Toni in death in 2020.

After a three month illness from infection, Toni moved to Carmita’s with Wuesthoff Hospice, a lovely 6 bed assisted living in Rockledge where she had marvelous 24-7 loving care and died of natural causes due to the complications from the infection.

Toni’s surviving relatives are: her sister, Fran Meriwether Drago, of Chancellor, Alabama; nieces Nancy Hendrey (also of Chancellor) and Barbara Hewett, of Mobile; nephews, Robert Drago, and David Drago (both of Mobile.) There are two surviving great nieces; Jessica and Jennifer and two great nephews; Justin and Brandon. Surviving are four great-great-nieces; Mackenzie, Alayna, Brittney and Bella plus one great-great nephew; Ethan. Plus, Toni has four surviving step-children: ( four step-daughters) Janet Meeler Meadows of Gainesville, Ga; Linda Aitken Hutt (Ralph) of Raleigh, NC; Jayne Diana Aitken of Darien, Ga; and one surviving step-son, Bill (Lisa) Aitken of Sarasota, Fl. There are eight surviving step-grandchildren: (five step-granddaughters), Michelle Vaughn , Emily Dorothy Hutt, Shannon Dawn Bishop, Lindsey Panesar, and Kelsie Sen; (three surviving step-grand sons) Justin Michael Bishop, Joshua Daniel Hutt, and Joseph Matthew Hutt. There are ten surviving step- great- grandchildren: (six great-step-granddaughters) Jade Fallon Hutt, Gracelyn Dorthy Young, Adelyn Sen, Lillian Panesar, Kyleigh Jade Bishop, and Kaydin Jayne Bishop;(four great- step- grandsons) Kaleb Jay Hutt, Amir Panesar, Rohan Sen, and Kolton Justin Bishop.

Also surviving is her best friend of over forty years, Rachel Marie Warner, of Melbourne, Florida considered her adopted sister in the Lord, and very proud to have Toni as a friend and prayer partner all these years!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Hospice Promise Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Follow the links below.

A graveside service for Harriet will be held Saturday, March 30, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Florida Memorial Gardens, 5950 S US 1, Rockledge, Florida 32955.