Harriett J. DeRose
Died December 11,
2014
SUTTONS BAY, MI -- Harriett Jo (Cleaver) DeRose, 66, loving
wife, mother, grandmother (“Mongie”), sister, aunt and friend died December 11,
2014 in Suttons Bay, Michigan surrounded by her family. During the course of her extended illness with ovarian cancer,
Harriett never complained and was always quick to smile and eager to share her
joyous laugh.
Harriett was born April 19, 1948 in Nyssa, Oregon to Eugene and Ione (Benson) Cleaver. She grew up on a farm loving the earth and all its creatures and had a passion for knitting from a young age.
She graduated from Nyssa High School and was a florist in Oregon before moving to Battle Creek, Michigan in 1979 with her beloved son Shane Burkhardt, with whom she was exceptionally close. There she met Tony DeRose when he rode up to her sister Cheryl and brother-in-law Gary’s cottage on his motorcycle. A romance ensued on Fine Lake, and they were married in 1982.
Mongie and granddaughter Victoria (Tori) enjoyed shopping, visiting the zoo, and doing art together in Mongie’s home studio. She volunteered at Tori’s school, and Mongie and Tony (“Papo”) enjoyed attending Tori’s school performances together.
Harriett earned an associate degree in nursing from KCC, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree in public administration from Western Michigan. She was an exceptional nurse with a special interest in holistic health. She worked for more than 25 years in the Battle Creek community as a nurse, home health provider and hospital administrator.
In addition to her love of people, nature, the environment, animals (especially dachshunds), flowers (especially violets), and cooking (especially Mama DeRose’s spaghetti and meatballs), Harriett had a passion for knitting, quilting, and creating art using fiber and paper.
In addition to her husband Tony, son Shane and granddaughter Tori of Battle Creek, MI, she is survived by five siblings: sisters Cheryl (Gary) Zesiger Costley of Marco Island, FL; Joyce Cleaver Cannon and Lori (David) Cleaver Gallegos of Boise, ID; brothers Darrell Cleaver and Calvin Cleaver of Nyssa, OR; sister-in-law Victoria (Carl) Blain and brother-in-law Michael (Jane) DeRose of Ft. Wayne, IN; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth St, Traverse City, MI 49684, www.munsonhomehealth.org.
A celebration of Harriett’s life featuring her artistic creations will be held in Battle Creek in the spring of 2015.
Please share memories with Harriett’s family below.
Tony, we are thinking of you...so sad to think of the loss of Harriet by your side. She was an exceptional human being and I'm grateful to have had her as a friend. Take care. With sympathy and love, Millie
ReplyDeleteI have known Harriett for a number of years as a co-worker at Community Hospital/BCHS and am very saddened by her death even though it was expected for some time. Harriett didn't have a mean bone in her body & had such a great attitude about her illness as well as her life. One of the last times I talked with her she said: "I don't do depression." Tony, you made Harriett so happy; you can feel really good about that. And of course she Shane who brought her much joy. I will miss seeing Harriett at the symphony which is where we most often met in recent years. She will live on in the memories of those of us who loved her.
ReplyDeleteTony, not a day goes by that I don't think of Harriett and then of you and how you are after all that has transpired over the past year. I don't know if you are back in Suttons Bay, but if you are I hope you have the support of friends, and if you are still in BC then I know that you do. Harriett was my hero when it comes to dealing with adversity. I think back to all the good times we shared since we all first met many years ago....her and I as friends, exercise buddies and co-workers and us as couples a few decades ago. When Harriett was around there was always plenty of laughter. Her inner strength was amazing and I believe that she would have transferred that on to you as you work through your recovery. I look forward to seeing you again this Spring at her memorial and in the meantime I continue to pray for you and your good health. My sincere sympathy to you and your family in your loss of this wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteTony, not a day goes by that I don't think of Harriett and then you as you deal with all that has transpired over the past year. Harriett was my hero when it comes to dealing with adversity. I remember back fondly to all the times we shared since meeting you many years ago....her as a friend, exercise buddy, co-worker and us as couples a few decades ago. One could always be sure to enjoy plenty of laughter when Harriett was around which was one of her many gifts. She had an amazing inner strength which I believe she would have willed to you as you deal with your own recovery. I look forward to seeing you this Spring at her memorial. My sincere sympathy to you and your family as you mourn the loss of your beloved Harriett.
ReplyDelete