Harriet M. Napiecinski
A memorial reception will be held Sunday, March 12th, 2PM, at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA, 98229.
Harriet Mary Napiecinski was born on September 16th, 1920 to Samuel R. McHard and Bessie Bigelow McHard in Aledo, Illinois.
Harriet attended Monmouth College, and earned her MA at the University of Wisconsin. She spent 13 years teaching high school in Illinois, Missouri, Florida, Wisconsin and Colorado.
She taught English, speech, and drama classes, as well as directing high school drama and forensics programs. When she was 28, she married Thomas Napiecinski, and 12 years later had a long wished for child, her daughter Kassia. When Kassia was 14, Harriet re-entered the work force as a Library Technician at Western Washington University, where she remained until retirement.
Harriet is best remembered as a passionate lover of and giver to the arts. She was very active with the Bellingham Theater Guild as a director, actress, member of the board, and many behind the scenes positions. Harriet loved to read, attended the Whatcom Symphony, and had an annual subscription to the Seattle Repertory Theater.
Harriet was very generous and caring. She gave extensively to numerous charities, and was deeply committed to the well being of her daughter's family.
Harriet passed away on February 26, 2017, after suffering for years from dementia. Her family is grateful that she is finally at peace.
Harriet is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lucille Alstrom, her brother, Lawrence McHard, and her husband, Thomas Napiecinski. She will be missed by her daughter, Kassia Farrell, son in law Ben Farrell, and grandchildren Rosalind Farrell and Nathaniel Farrell.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Habitat for Humanity of Whatcom County, 1825 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, Washington, 98225.
A memorial reception will be held on March 12, 2017, 2:00pm at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2600 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham WA.
Memories
From Robyn Adcox
I worked with Harriet in Periodicals @ the WWU Libraries in the late '80's. She was always kind and patient with me, even if she would tease me of acting like Tiger in Winnie the Pooh, always full of energy & bouncing around. She helped train me, and would always gently correct me if I made mistakes.
Condolences to her family.
From Christine Anderson
While attending WWU in the 80's, I had the opportunity to work with Harriet in the periodicals department. We formed a friendship and stayed in touch for several years after graduation. One of my fondest memories of Harriet was spending a weekend in the country pressing apple cider and attending an outdoor production at the Snoqualimie Falls Forest Theater. She cherished her family dearly.
Sincerest condolences to Kassia and family.
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