Harriet (Nayman) Ball

Harriet (Nayman) Ball of Westwood, formerly of Brockton, died July 24 at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center after a long and valiant struggle with dementia. She was 95. Harriet was a joy as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend, with a warm and cheerful demeanor that she maintained to the very end.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years and best friend, Charles Ball, whom she met on a blind date; her three children, Peter, Laura and David and their spouses, Barbara, Sharon and Ngoc; five grandchildren, Michael (and Charlie), Ethan, Caroline (and Matt), Emma and Simon; and two great-grandchildren, Owen and Cameron. Harriet was the daughter of Eunice and Jacob Nayman and attended school in Brookline and Brighton. Harriet’s devotion to her family was unwavering.

She received a bachelor’s degree from Boston University in 1951 and then worked for a government research group in Boston before her marriage in 1957.

Reading was one of her favorite activities, the love for which she imparted to a generation of children as the librarian at the Kennedy Elementary School in Brockton. After her retirement, she volunteered at a program for adults learning English as a second language.

She loved to travel and burst into tears on her first trip to Paris, so happy at fulfilling a lifelong dream. Subsequent travels with Charlie took her to many countries in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and the Caribbean, and also throughout the United States.

Harriet had many friends and especially enjoyed playing Bridge and Scrabble. She was still piling up good Scrabble scores after the onset of dementia. When the children were at home, she organized countless ski trips to the New England mountains. While the others did downhill runs, she took to the woods alone to ski cross-country.

She was a lovely person and will be deeply missed.

The family expresses its gratitude to the staff at The Julia Ruth House in Westwood and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Roslindale for the care and comfort they provided to Harriet.

There will be a service at the Sharon Memorial Park Chapel, 40 Dedham Street, Sharon, on Sunday, July 27, at 1 PM. Refreshments will follow at the home of Barbara and Peter Ball, with Shiva hours there on Sunday from 4-8 PM and Monday from 11 AM-2 PM and 5-7 PM.

Harriet’s favorite charity was The Home for Little Wanderers, c/o Development Department, 72 East Dedham St., Boston, MA 02118 (www.thehome.org).