Harriet Lee Stitsinger

Harriet Lee Stitsinger, age 93, died peacefully on Friday evening November 14, 2014. She was born to Ward and Helen (Happersett) Lee, on August 19, 1921 in Noonan, North Dakota. She graduated from Canton (IL) High School in 1939 and Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri in 1941; later attending Brown’s School of Business. Harriet married William R. Stitsinger on June 22, 1945 in Miami, Florida, moving to Hamilton to make their home the following year. She and Bill were married for 61 years. They had four children: Rebecca (Robert) Weigel, Peter (Karen) Stitsinger, Gretchen Stitsinger (Ron Welch) and Sarah “Sally” Stitsinger. Harriet worked for twenty years as a divorce investigator with the Butler County Court of Domestic Relations. She was a dedicated volunteer and an original participant with the Parachute program. She was deeply committed to helping youth in foster care. Harriet was also a member of PEO, Chapter BR, the Hamilton Junior Women’s League and the YWCA. She was a faithful member of First United Church of Christ. Harriet’s other favorite pastimes included horses, reading and bridge. She and eight close friends enjoyed a bridge club for over forty years. Upon retirement, Harriet volunteered with the Hamilton County Park system, working to maintain bird habitats. She had a great interest in archeology and volunteered at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History. Harriet was also fortunate to treasure many dear friendships which deeply enriched her life, some of which extended for over 60 years. Most notably, Harriet was an extremely loving mother and grandmother. She maintained a close relationship with all of them, throughout her life. Her grandchildren include: her eldest, Ellen Weigel, who preceded her in death; Sarah (Peter) Barker, Anna Ponder, Rob Weigel, Jennifer (Nick) Burr, Abigail Stitsinger, Allison and Meghan Welch, Emma and Katherine Thomson. She had one great-grandchild, Caroline Barker. In addition to her husband and granddaughter, she was preceded in death by her brother and only sibling, Bruce Royal Lee. Harriet had been a resident in the McClellan Wing at Berkeley Square for four years. The family would like to extend special appreciation to her Colonial at Home caregivers and nurses: Shelley, Mark, and Sue for their loving care. Funeral services will be Saturday November 22, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home, 980 N. W. Washington Blvd. Visitation will precede the funeral at 1 p.m. Memorials may be given to The Colonial Foundation, Ellen Weigel Fund, 520 Eaton Avenue, Hamilton, Ohio, 45013.

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Harriet Lee Stitsinger

November 14, 2014