Harriet “Ruth” Harwood
Share
Memorial services for Harriet “Ruth” Harwood, 92, Lawrence will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 22nd, 2016 at Plymouth Congregational Church. Private burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery. She passed away Friday, January 15, 2016 at Bridge Haven Memory Care facility in Lawrence. She had been a resident there since August of 2014.
Ruth was born January 9, 1924 in Kellyville, OK the daughter of Harry Edward and Grace Allison Reisner. She attended elementary and junior high school in McPherson, Kansas. She attended high school in Manhattan, Kansas, graduating in 1942. Upon graduating she and her family moved to Lawrence.
She attended Kansas University for several years majoring in vocal performance. While at KU, she studied voice with Alice Moncrieff and participated in many recitals. Music was one of the great passions of her life. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church where she participated in the choir for more than 50 years. She was a member of Music Club, a member of Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority, a charter member of the Lawrence Civic Choir, Charter member of Friends of Music, and a charter member of the Swarthout Society. She was also a former board member of the Lawrence Chamber Players.
Ruth was also active in several other organizations. She was a charter of the Kaw Valley Quilters Guild in which she was active for many years. She loved quilting and leaves an incredible legacy of beautiful work to her children and grand children. She was also active in PEO Chapter FZ and various bridge groups for many years.
She married Winston B. Harwood September 25, 1949, in Lawrence. He preceded her in death on February 26, 2002. She was also preceded in death by one son, Kevin Scott Harwood, in 1958, and her sister, Eloise Allison Reisner, March 6th, 2002.
Survivors include one daughter, Harriet Jane Harwood, Irving TX; three sons, Robert W. Harwood, Stuart B. Harwood, Douglas E. Harwood and wife Laura Lee, all of Lawrence. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Samuel L. Harwood and his wife Jenica, of Salina, Haley Harwood of Austin, Texas, Allison Harwood of Manhattan, KS, and Sean Harwood of Lawrence. She had one great grandchild, Bennett Wesley Harwood, son of Sam and Jenica.
The family will greet friends from 7 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 21st at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Memorials may be made in her name to the Lawrence Music Club and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
My condolences to family and friends of Harriet “Ruth” Harwood, so sorry for your loss, to lose a loved one in death is never easy and death is an enemy that leaves a heart of pain and emptiness. However the Almighty God made provisions to undo the suffering, sickness, pain, and to do away with death forever. (Revelation 21:4) please read this scripture in your personal copy of the Bible, and for more information on the hope for those we have lost in death, please go to jw.org
May you rest in peace. Ruth is now up there playing cards with my mom. I cannot thank you enough for being one of the many moms in my life as I grew up and for all that the hardwood did for the Lawrence community over the years. you always be in my memories of my life. I cannot thank you enough for being one of the many moms in my life as I grew up and for all that the Hardwoods did for the Lawrence community over the years do you always be in my memories. Peace be with you all
ruth was a wonderful lady.. So very talented… She was amazing and she was my Mom Lois Rissman’s favorite person…. I myself admired and thought the world of her…… So sorry for all of your loss… love, Diana myers
On behalf of the Lawrence Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, I would like to express our condolences on Ruth’s passing. Over the years she has contributed SO much to our chapter! We will miss her!
The chapter has a made a contribution to the Mu Phi Epsilon Memorial Foundation in her memory.
Sincerely, Lynn Basow, President