Viola Harrington
GARRATTSVILLE — Viola Madeline Harrington, 92, passed away on Feb. 21, 2004, at the Chase Memorial Nursing Home in New Berlin.
She was formerly of 175 Harrington Road, New Berlin, which is near
Garrattsville. Viola was a lifelong resident of Otsego County, having
lived on Harrington Road in the town of New Lisbon since 1930, when she
moved as a new wife. She married Kenneth Harrington on Sept. 20, 1930,
and began raising her family of eight children, many foster children and
many more grandchildren. Mr. Harrington died on July 18, 1967.
She was born to Frank and Minnie (House) Richards on Aug. 20, 1911. She
attended school in several one-room school houses in the Hartwick and
Burlington Flats area and at a young age became a maid and nanny to
families in the area. She often said that she was good at what she knew,
"Dishes, diapers and dust."
Mrs. Harrington made children her main vocation; in 1970, she became a
caretaker for adults with disabilities and continued to do that until
1986, retiring at 75.
While her children were growing up, she was active in the United
Methodist Church in Garrattsville. She also enjoyed being a member of
the New Lisbon Seniors Group. Many area children, friends or her
children spent summers and weekends "on the farm" doing chores and
playing. She was happiest when she knew the "little folks" were busy and
happy. She baby sat in her later years, even into her 80s.
Her ability to prepare family meals was famous and she often cooked for
farm hands or her children's friends would spend days and would be there
for meals. In later years she was famous for her cinnamon buns and
homemade toast for groups of hunters. Listening to and sharing stories
was always a common theme in her kitchen and around the dining room
table.
Mrs. Harrington is survived by her children, Madeline and Larry Daniels
of New Berlin, George and Charlotte Harrington of Morris, Eva and Jerry
Joy of New Lisbon, Helen Harrington of Wanakena, Hilda and Wesley Bowen
of Burlington Flats, Gary and Debbie Harrington of Edmeston, Donna and
Dennis Mumbulo of Edmeston, and Ray and Penny Harrington of New Berlin.
She is also survived by two sisters, Minnie and Elsor Pope of South New
Berlin, and Dora Osborne of Gilbertsville; a brother, Herb Richards of
Oxford; and a sister-in-law, Juna Richards of Oneonta.
She was predeceased by a son, Roy Harrington; her sisters, Augusta
O'Connor, Eliza Baker, Isabelle Daniels and Dorothy Richards; brothers,
Milton, Ralph, William, Jesse, Eugene and George Richards; and
sisters-in-law, Dorothy Chase and Wanda Harrington.
Grandchildren were very special to Mrs. Harrington. She has 38
grandchildren including spouses; 28 great-grandchildren; and one
great-great-granddaughter. She is also survived by several nieces and
nephews.
She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Jennifer Harrington.
For the past year Mrs. Harrington has resided at the Chase Memorial
Nursing Home. Her family wishes to thank the staff of the second floor
for all they did to make her days pleasant. Mrs. Harrington was always
complimentary about her care-givers and the family appreciated their
many kind words and efforts to make her stay there enjoyable.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004, from 7 to 9 p.m.
at the Johnston Funeral Home in Morris. The funeral service will be
held at the Columbus Community Church in Columbus, on Thursday, Feb. 26,
2004, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Stephen Reese officiating.
Burial will be in Edmeston Union Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make donations to the
Garrattsville Fire Department or the Garrattsville United Methodist
Church in her memory.
Funeral arrangements are by the Johnston Funeral Home of Morris.
Published in The Daily Star on Feb. 23, 2004.
