Allyson Smith Harmsen

Allyson Smith Harmsen died peacefully on September 19, 2012 in Venice, FL. She was born in Beacon, New York February 10, 1924. She graduated from Johnstown High School in Johnstown, NY in 1942, and graduated from Gloversville, NY Business School in May of 1943. She worked at the Superb Glove Factory in 1943, the Fulton County Bank in 1944, and owned and operated Harmsen leather and By-Products in Gloversville, NY in 1945.

She was married for 60 years to Arnold C Harmsen (deceased). She is the mother of five children. Arnold B. Harmsen (deceased), James (Janet) Harmsen, Patricia (Robert) Thompson, Kevin (Linda) Harmsen, and Nancy (Tom) Radzitowski. She has nine grandchildren. Jennifer (Mike) Murset, Jeff (Erica) Harmsen, Julie (Brent) Bollenbach, Robert Thompson, Tiffany (John) MacHardy, Heather Harmsen, Kevin C. Harmsen, Ashley Radzitowski, Krystal Radzitowski; and four great-grandchildren, Tyler Murset, Cayetana Murset, Elena Harmsen and Anika Harmsen.

She was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Reid K Smith of Beacon, NY and her sister Irene Smith Reynolds. Allyson is also survived by two sister-in-laws, Geraldine Loomans and Ardell Loomer.

Allyson was an active member of many garden clubs, women's clubs, and bridge clubs. She was an active volunteer as homeroom mother, den mother, and she worked at the polls during elections for many years. She was a member of the Early Birds and Evening Bowling teams in Closter, NJ. Allyson enjoyed golfing and she and her husband were members of the Pine Brook Golf Club in Gloversville, NY.

She lived in Closter, NJ for 25 years, before retiring with her husband in 1986. During retirement they spent winter and spring in Englewood, FL, and summer and fall in Johnstown, NY. She was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church as a child--and again-- during her retirement months spent in Johnstown, NY. She was currently residing at Village on the Isle Retirement Community in Venice, FL, and she was an active member of Epiphany Cathedral.

Allyson will have a funeral mass in Johnstown, New York at Trinity Parish, followed by a family burial at St. Anthony's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, 136 Shrine Road, Fultonville, NY 12072 in her name.