Harriet I. Gunning

Harriet Isabella Gunning of Trumansburg, New York passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the age of 90.

Born on February 13, 1918 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Harriet was the daughter of David and Hattie Harris Gunning. She moved with her family to the Trumansburg area at the age of 11 where she attended Trumansburg High School, graduating in 1935, and then Cornell University, graduating in the Class of 1940.

Harriet then moved to Framingham, Massachusetts for the next 54 years where she worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, retiring in 1975. After retirement she filled her days with volunteer work at hospitals, libraries, and museums.

She returned to Trumansburg in 1996 where she continued to be active in community and volunteer organizations always filling her life with the arts, travel, family, and friends. Harriet was a life long member of the Quaker Society, keeping ties to both the Perry City and Framingham Friends Churches.

She is survived by her sister Mary VanDerzee of Trumansburg; twelve nieces and nephews Joann VanDerzee, Joyce (Frank) VanVolkinburg, Geta (Pierre) Biever, Bruce (Sandy) Gunning, Sue (Ralph) Dean, Clair Gunning, Jeanne (Stan) Chapman, Jim (Martha) Gunning, Linda Gunning, Douglas (Debbie) Gunning, Kate (Art) Stilwell, and Mary (Donald) Crippen; cousins Stewart (Carol) Henry and Martha (Jeff) Barlow; many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Harriet was preceded in death by two brothers, John and David Gunning; one brother-in-law Elmer VanDerzee; two sisters-in-law Margaret and Harriette Gunning; one aunt Margaret Henry and one nephew Donald Gunning; along with other family and friends.

No public calling hours have been scheduled.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Mecklenburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Fred Edmister officiating.

The family asks those considering a contribution in Harriet's memory to kindly consider The Framingham Heart Study, 73 Mt. Wayte Ave., Suite 2, Framingham, MA 01702-5827 or Books-By-Mail c/o Finger Lakes Library System, 119 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850.