Harriet L. Bruce

BRUCE, Harriet L., age 102, of Spring Hill, Florida, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. She was born in Woodsville, New Hampshire and came to the area 35 years ago from Suffield, Connecticut where she was a Kindergarten teacher with the Suffield Public School System from 1953 until 1977. She attended Forest Oaks Lutheran Church.  Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Bazin N. Bruce and her three older sisters. She is survived by daughters and son-in-law: Patricia & Bob Mocarsky, Sharon Huntington and Deborah Bruce; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Harriet was born in 1917 toward the end of World War I. She graduated from Woodsville High School in New Hampshire in 1935 with the honor of being the Salutatorian. Harriet attended Boston University, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1939. She went on to become Director of a private nursery School in Foxboro, MA and then State Supervisor of Federal nursery schools in Concord, NH. Just as the United States was entering into Word War II, she married Bazin Bruce, a Sergeant in the U. S. Army, and settled in Suffield, Connecticut. Her greatest love was teaching nursery school and kindergarten; which she did for the next 25 years. During the course of those years, Harriet also earned a Master of Arts in Special Education from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut, did advanced study at UMass in 1973, and became a doctoral candidate at UMass from 1975-1977.

Her artistic flair was demonstrated when she designed and illustrated a comprehensive map of Suffield, Connecticut for the Calvary Church Fair in October of 1972. She also compiled a memorial book which contained kindergartener’s observations of nature. Harriet illustrated the book titled “The Words of Children” which was dedicated to a kindergartener who died in an accident that year (1973-74). The idea came from this little student’s observations (a pine tree after a big snow was “like a shark’s dorsal fin sticking out of the water) and questions (“What is the hour – and what is the half?”). She also collaborated with her three older sisters to write and publish a book about their lives growing up in New Hampshire in the 1920’s and 1930’s. It is titled “HECK” (based on the sisters’ names: Harriet, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Kathleen).

Harriet retired and moved to Spring Hill, Florida in 1984. There she volunteered at a local elementary school, taught piano lessons, tutored children, and taught adult Sunday School until she was 95 years old. She was loved and admired by all who knew her.  When asked what they remember most about Harriet, the list was long. Here are some of their recollections and observations. Harriet …

wonderful story-teller

loved her family and friends steadfastly and completely

artist, musician, writer

unafraid to try many things

legendary

extraordinary

determined

fun, cute, bubbly

the first to laugh at herself…and turn any potential embarrassment into another hilarious story

loved “low cake and high frosting” – especially maple frosting

inspired others with her awesome attitude and faith

advocate for special-needs kids and paved the way for others

a strong, educated and independent woman!

faithful and kind

had a “hands to the plow, feet to the ground” approach to meeting needs whatever they might be 

related to everyone from the youngest impressionable child to the oldest seasoned adult

made each person she met feel special

practical, resourceful, generous

selfless and compassionate

a lifelong learner and master teacher

always concerned for others

tended her flowers and birds, took walks, weeded, and watered

She is remembered as a warm and caring person who loved God and His creation. Nothing gave her more joy than her flowers, birds, friends and family.  As an expression of sympathy, garden flowers or donations to The Salvation Army are welcome.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday October 23, 2019 at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church.  A Memorial Service will also be held at 2:00pm, November 2, 2019 at Pilgrim Covenant Church in Granby, Connecticut.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

SPRING HILL, FLORIDA

(352) 686-6649

"Family Owned and Operated"

www.merrittfuneral.com