Harriet was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 15, 1938, to Louise and James Hill. After several years in Chicago the family moved to Dallas. She attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas and graduated in 1960 with a BBA from Southern Methodist University, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Harriet met the love of her life, Bob, at SMU and they were married shortly after their graduation in 1960. They then moved to Pecos, Texas, where Bob joined his family’s insurance agency and Harriet became a teacher. She spent 12 years as a teacher in Pecos. In 1972, the family moved to Dallas, where Bob and Harriet have remained since.
Harriet returned to SMU as an employee in 1981, where she worked until her retirement in 1993. She eventually became the assistant to the dean of Meadows School of the Arts and was responsible for serving as the advisor to the school’s undergraduate students. She loved her job and made a huge impact on many students’ lives with her caring and wise counsel. Upon her retirement she was awarded the “M” award by SMU, which is the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU campus.
Harriet was a devout Christian and member at First United Methodist Church in Richardson. She enjoyed nothing more than spending time with family, especially her grandchildren, and cuddling with her many beloved dogs. In her more active days, she found joy in gardening, traveling, riding horses, playing tennis, SCUBA diving, watching birds, and sailing at Lake Texoma. She was an avid sports fan and held season tickets to SMU basketball and football games, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Dallas Mavericks, and was also a fan of the Texas Rangers.
Harriet is survived by her husband, Robert Neal (Bob) Hughes; her son James Alton (Jim) Hughes and his wife Tamara; her daughter Alice Oakley and her husband John; granddaughters Mary Haddon Hughes and Caroline Louise Oakley; grandsons Alton Parker Hughes, II (Parker), John Robert (Rob) Oakley and his wife Haley; her sister Barbara Leach; and a host of loving friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Gregory (Greg) Hill.
Harriet had been struggling with several health issues for many years, including rheumatoid arthritis. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to all who gave her such loving care during this time, including her dear friend Arla Jean Anderson, Dr. Maureen Gutierrez, the staff of Amity Hospice, and the caregivers at Home Instead and Right at Home.
Harriet was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother (Gram), and friend and, while her family is relieved that she is at last at peace with her Lord, she will be missed beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas (www.goldenretrievers.org) or Network of Community Ministries (thenetwork.org).
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