Harriet Anne Pavidis

Harriet Anne Pavidis, age 83, of Fountain Valley, California, passed away peacefully with her family gathered around on Monday, March 10th, in Newport Beach, California. Harriet was born on January 10, 1942, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was the beloved daughter of Martha and Robert Bruce.

Good and Faithful Servant: Harriet was a devoted Christian, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, known for her warmth and kindness. She gave of herself unconditionally, always making Christmas and all the holidays special for everyone. Harriet gladly welcomed friends as part of her family, treating them as if they truly belonged by listening to their stories and being there for them, even when she herself struggled.

Harriet made friends wherever she went, and as the years went on, she had a remarkable knack for keeping in touch through her favorite modes—phone calls or sending note cards, always finding ways to connect with those she loved. One of her greatest joys was throwing parties at her home, inviting others in for some tasty food, wonderful conversations, and a round or two of bunco. Harriet loved to give, and that didn’t stop with kind words; it was rare that you left her home without a goody bag of food, a dish towel, or some of her favorite bath/body works—her way of taking care of others, feeding them, and giving them something practical. One of the top treats always found at her events was her famous sheet cake brownies, known by all of her neighbors and church friends.

In her last week, she asked for one last party filled with her favorite things, and with the help of friends, her wish came true—from KU party goods to brownies and piña coladas. Harriet personalized events to ensure others felt included; even on her honeymoon, amidst foul weather, she invited two elderly ladies to join her and her new husband for adventures in Hawaii. If she didn't know how to do something, she reached out to friends for help, whether it was for Halloween costumes, baseball stats for Mark, or French braiding hair for Katherine. With a fierce love for her family and a gift for Gab, she always put herself out there to get to know those around her, from inviting others along on her honeymoon journey to introducing herself to Mark's racing friends and cooking for them.

Harriet was a proud KU Jayhawk graduate and an RN who served her community for 37 years mostly in the field of labor and delivery, working her way up to a supervisor position in neonatal care at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in California. She often shared fun stories from the nursing floor that would put everyone in a fit of laughter. Harriet had a love for the water; in her early days, she was an avid swimmer at the community pool in Kansas, sometimes running around with her favorite girlfriends and telling stories of the boys in the neighborhood. As she got older, she could be found at the beach with her family and her son's baseball team, enjoying yearly summer vacations at Bass Lake, or splashing around in the community pool with her kids or doing water aerobics with her buddies. Despite a busy schedule with a full-time job and two kids, she found time for her faith, serving as a deacon and volunteering in her church, the bell choir, as well as being an active member of the PEO Sisterhood (Philanthropic Educational Organization).

One of her biggest projects while a member at First Presbyterian Church of Westminster, was helping out with an interfaith shelter for the homeless, where she gave of herself and taught her family that what we have goes far beyond material things. She will be missed, but her legacy will live on in those blessed to be in her life—through her selfless and unconditional love, her refusal to judge a book by its cover, and her belief in throwing caution to the wind. Harriet embraced life's chapters, seeing the miracles God has planned as far greater than any route one could have paved for themselves.

Later in life, at around 61, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Despite this, she often said, "I have MS, but MS does not have me!" A true fighter, she maintained such a positive attitude that most people wouldn't realize the extent of her challenges, except for the wheelchair she used daily to avoid hip injuries. As the years went by, she faced additional health issues, including COPD, CHF, and pneumonia.

Throughout her journey, she shared a fulfilling life with her husband, two children, and grandchildren, who brought her immense joy. Her friends were also like family, providing unwavering support and companionship. In her final days, while hospitalized, she remained concerned about those around her, always asking how she could help. During this last hospital visit, however, her conditions proved overwhelming. Alongside her existing ailments, doctors discovered a fractured vertebra, which caused her significant pain. They managed her pain, but it often disrupted her breathing.

At one point, she told the doctors to stop all interventions, expressing her contentment with life. She was happy, having lived a fulfilling life with her husband, her children, grandchildren, and friends who were like family, and she felt it was okay to let go.

She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Peter Edward Pavidis; her son Mark Pavidis and daughter-in-law Amanda Palmer-Pavidis, along with their children, Allison Pavidis, Ryan Pavidis, Michael Palmer, Logan Palmer, and Carter Palmer; her daughter Katherine Pavidis-Moyer and son-in-law Eugene Moyer; and her nephews, Erik Bruce and Daniel Bruce. She was preceded in death by her mother, Martha Harriet Bruce, her father, Robert Luis Bruce, her brother, Robert Bruce who passed just two months prior to her, of Oakland, California.

"She dedicated her life to uplifting her community through countless acts of kindness and cherished her family and friends fiercely, embodying the spirit of love and generosity even when she faced her own struggles."

Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!"