Frances Hope (Schelle) Hartnett died peacefully at home in Scituate, MA, on February 12, 2020. Born in Pennsylvania, Hope attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and graduated from West Chester State University. As a child she enjoyed trips to “the shore” in New Jersey with her family where she developed a love of farm-fresh tomatoes. While still a student she met the love of her life, Elmer (“Robert”) Hartnett, while the two worked at Hugo’s Lighthouse in Cohasset, Mass. They wed in 1968 and had a devoted marriage filled with love, laughter, and joy.
Hope’s other love was her students. She taught first grade at Hatherly Elementary School in Scituate and, after taking time off to start a family, she returned to the classroom to teach kindergarten at Sacred Heart School in Weymouth, where she taught for nearly 20 years. “Mrs. Hartnett” was a beloved teacher who poured her heart and soul into nurturing her students, creating memories that students carried with them into adulthood; she loved and remembered every child who entered her classroom.
Hope loved to read – historical fiction and crime thrillers were her favorite genres – and although she resisted most modern technology, Hope switched from paper books to a Nook (enabling her to read even more voraciously, and do crossword puzzles). She and Robert played Scrabble – competitively – and watched Jeopardy! together. Hope was extremely bright and knew a lot about a lot of different topics – the more obscure, the better. Her wit was quick, and she had a wonderful sense of humor. She was an incredible baker whose cakes and cookies were second to none, and a talented cook who could make just about anything.
Hope was a loving, thoughtful, generous, and kind friend. She could always be counted on for wisdom and guidance. She always made time for friends and opened her heart to strangers. Acquaintances were always welcomed and quickly felt like old friends in her presence.
In addition to her husband, Hope is survived by her four children, Jenifer (and Erik Bullen) of Hull, MA; Christopher (and Angela Fetzer) of Pepperell, MA; Emily (and Mark Norman) of Pembroke, MA; and Cathleen of West Roxbury, MA. Hope’s grandchildren, Liam Norman, Patrick Norman, Brendan Norman, Riley Lynch, Tyler Lynch, and Sydney Bullen, were the light of her life. She doted on them and lived through and for them; she was extraordinarily proud of their accomplishments. We are all heartbroken and cannot imagine how we will carry on without our wife, mother, and Mom-Mom, our family’s guiding light. Hope is also survived by her siblings Patricia Prendergast of Newtown Square, PA; Nate Schelle of St. Augustine, FL; Kate Hannigan of Rockland, MA; and Susan Barry of Foxboro, MA; and seven nieces and nephews.
In Hope’s memory, do something kind for someone with no expectation of anything in return.
Friends and family are invited to celebrate Hope’s life at a visitation on Tuesday, February 18, from 4-8 PM at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Parish in Weymouth on Wednesday, February 19, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hope’s name to the Sacred Heart School, 75 Commercial St., Weymouth, MA.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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