Harriett Hanna, 104, of Bradenton, died peacefully at home on Monday, January 1, 2024. Born on December 22, 1919, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Harriett Elizabeth was the firstborn child of Agnes (Dooley) and William Drane.
Harriett graduated from Pittsfield High School and Weylister Secretarial Junior College. While employed at General Electric in Pittsfield, she met a young electrical engineer, Raymond Hanna.
Harriett and Ray married on August 15, 1942, in Clearwater, Florida, and would cherish the next 60 years together, making their homes in Pittsfield, Schenectady, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Syracuse, NY and eventually retiring to Sarasota, FL.
A mother of three, Harriett spent most of her time as a homemaker. When her children were older, she returned to work in a role she loved as executive assistant at Manlius Military Academy.
When Ray retired, Harriett gladly did, too. In 1978, they built a home in Palm Aire, Sarasota, fulfilling their dream of moving back to Florida. In 2004, two years after Ray's passing, Harriett moved to Freedom Village in Bradenton.
Harriett lived independently and stayed active -- swimming until the age of 90, riding a NuStep recumbent bike at 104, and keeping up to date on world events and in touch with family on "her machine" (the iPad she learned to use at 100). She enjoyed reading, golf, bridge, and travelling with Ray, whether to Europe, the Canary Islands, Hawaii or to see family scattered throughout the states. She was an active member of Palm Aire Country Club and the Church of the Nativity Sarasota – Episcopal.
Harriett was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert; her husband, Ray, and her daughter, Linda Hanna.
She is survived by her son, William (Dotty); daughter, Jill (Kurt) Becker; son-in-law, Charles Strong; granddaughter, Wendy (Jim) Hanna Schenker; grandson, Michael Becker, and two great grandchildren – all of whom will miss her eternal optimism, her no-nonsense approach to life and her laugh.
The family extends special thanks to Nancy Windhauser for her friendship and loving support of Harriett over the past years.
A private funeral service will be held for the immediate family. Interment will follow at the Church of the Nativity Sarasota Memorial Garden.
Memorials may be made to the Memorial Scholarship Program of Freedom Village, 6406 21st Ave West, Bradenton, FL, 34209, or the charity of one's choice.
FUNERAL HOME
Toale Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory - Colonial Chapel - Sarasota
40 N. Orange Avenue
Sarasota, Florida
