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January 3, 2017

Harriet P. Harper Died Dec. 24, 2016

Harriet Pierce Harper
(1924-2016)

 Harriet Pierce Harper, a long-time seasonal resident of Northport, died December 24, 2016.  Mrs. Harper was born on November 1, 1924, in Newcastle, IN, to Elizabeth and Earl Pierce.  As she often said, she was “an only, not a lonely, child.” She grew up in Chicago, where she was graduated from Morgan Park HS. In 1944 she was graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in English.  After marrying fellow MPHS graduate Philip S. Harper, Jr., in 1946, she moved with him to Hanover, NH, until his graduation from Dartmouth College in 1948.  She also began spending most of her summers at Northport Point, MI, where her husband’s family had a cottage.

 The couple returned to the Chicago area and raised their family of five in Hinsdale, IL.  Mrs. Harper was a Girl Scout leader, among other charitable activities.  She was elected to the Library Board of the Village of Hinsdale and for many years authored a weekly column in the Hinsdale newspaper called the “Book Case.”  Her major interests were reading, art, and gardening. She was a member of the Union Church of Hinsdale, a UCC affiliate.

 In 2010, Mrs. Harper moved to Traverse City, MI, where she lived until 2016, when she moved into Northport Highlands.

Mrs. Harper was predeceased by her husband (2008); she is survived by her children Anne (Gregory Nobles), Andrew (Kennie Lyman), Stephen, Betsy (David Persampieri), and William; her grandchildren Phoebe Nobles (Michael Dickman), Alexandra Harper, Sarah Nobles (Daniel Kraft), Vivien Harper, William Persampieri, Nathan Persampieri, and Audrey Mason; and her great grandchildren Zora Nobles Kraft and August and Mavis Nobles.

A memorial service will be held this summer in Northport, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Leelanau Conservancy.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau. Condolences may be shared with Harriet’s family at www.martinson.info.  Or with Anne Harper at Harperconsulting@gmail.com

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