Harriett Welling Ford

Harriett Welling Ford died in Old Saybrook, CT on December 10, 2014. Harriett Vivienne Brewer was born in East Hartford, CT on July 5, 1924, the second youngest child of N. Howard Brewer and Vivienne Wooster. She was predeceased by her siblings Louise Brewer, Norman Brewer, Mary Allen and Barbara Cox. Harriett’s father was the Corn King of America in 1908 and later a CT state legislator and long time broadleaf tobacco grower in East Hartford. The family moved to West Hartford where Harriett graduated from Hall High School in 1941. She then graduated from UConn in 1945 with a major in PE and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. At UConn, Harriett met the love of her life, William Welling, also from West Hartford. They were married in 1947 and in 1952 Harriett and Bill moved to a wonderful neighborhood on Seminary Rd. in Simsbury where they raised four children. Harriett taught youth summer tennis for many years. Harriett and Bill were early members of St. Albans church where Harriett served on the flower guild. An avid bridge player and gardener Harriett was active in garden clubs wherever she lived. After moving to Guilford in 1976 Harriett sold real estate, was a member of “Sew & Go” and the altar guild at Christ Church. Harriett loved shellfish and in 1981 she co-authored Mussel Magic with Guilford neighbor Rebecca Mars. Bill died in 1989 and in 1996 Harriett married Martin Ford of Guilford whom she met at a blood drive. Harriett and Marty were avid UConn women’s basketball fans and traveled to Ireland and South Africa. Some of Harriett’s happiest memories were of their family gatherings in Old Saybrook. For many years Harriett and Bill joined her parents, siblings, children, nieces and nephews at Knollwood Beach for swimming in the Sound.

She is survived by her children, William and Cathy Welling, Averill Park, NY, James Welling and Jane Weinstock, Los Angeles, CA, Elizabeth Welling Regan and Kenneth Regan, Killingworth, CT and Caroline Welling Van Deusen and Rick Van Deusen, Columbus, OH and seven grand children, Kyle, Cameron and Johanna Regan; Taylor, Eric and Lizzy Van Deusen and Ava Welling.

The family would like to thank all the health care workers at Home Instead Sr. Care, The Hearth at Tuxis Pond, Peregrines Landing, Apple Rehab, Old Saybrook and Hospice Care at Middlesex Hospital, Middletown. The family would like to especially thank Lissa Wilson Bird for her care and support for Harriet during the past 5 years.

A memorial service will be held in the future. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Harriett’s name to the Guilford Interfaith Ministries http://www.gimct.org or the Guilford Art Center http://guilfordartcenter.org. Please visit www.swanfh.com for online condolences and tributes.