On November 15, 2019, Harriet passed away peacefully with family at her bedside. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 69 years, Henry Sprague. Harriet was born on March 6, 1920 in Hamilton where she lived all her life. There, she and Henry raised three sons: Hugh (Leslie), Stephen (Joanne), and Harry (Odalys). She is also survived by five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Harriet was an avid bridge player, an enthusiastic opera fan, and an intrepid world traveller, but her greatest love was Pointing Pines, the family cottage in Muskoka. Over decades, family, friends, pets, and chipmunks enjoyed her generous spirit and gracious hospitality.
We would like to thank the staff members at Amica Dundas, McMaster Family Practice and St. Joseph’s Healthcare for their compassionate, professional care.
In keeping with Harriet’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A family gathering will take place in the spring. To honour Harriet’s love of nature, please consider a donation to the Royal Botanical Gardens or The Owl Foundation in Harriet’s memory.
Dear Stephen and family
Your mother, Harriet had a wonderful, long, and accomplished life. She took an interest in my activities and told me about the annual excursions your parents made to Langdon Hall in Cambridge. I expect the chipmunks are busy preparing for winter and do remember her kindnesses to their relatives in the forest lands of the RBG.
I believe by now Mrs. Sprague is safe and warm reunited with your father for eternity.
In the days ahead, I will be thinking of you.
Harriet,
A wonderful neighbour and a joy to have known.
We moved to Oak Knoll Dr with our three young boys and were so blessed to have Henry & Harriet as our next door neighbours.
Such fun to chat with about the what was happening in Westdale and other everyday events. I always enjoyed our chats and missed them both when the moved to Dundas.
I still think of some of her words of wisdom to me and chuckle as she was so bang on.
Always in our thoughts and happy that we crossed paths.
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all at this time.
Betsy, Joel, Aaron, Jake & Joey Ippolito
Dear Hugh, Stephen and Harry,
I saw the notice in the Hamilton Spectator and wanted to send my sympathy to you. My mom, Jean (Livingston) Carruthers was a life-long friend of Harriet – remember them both talking about their sorority days at U of T together and I know they played a lot of bridge together too. I remember seeing Harriet when she came to visit my mom when she was dying of ovarian cancer in 1989 – my mom cherished Harriet’s friendship so much. I last saw your mom and dad around 1997 when my dad, John, and I went to a play with them in Hamilton, shortly before my dad died. They were both terrific people. I was glad to hear they got to experience some of Dundas later in life too – it was a great place to grow up in.
I have some memories from childhood of visiting once at your cottage along with my two brothers – playing billiards above the boat house and being towed around the lake on a big inner tube. We spent our summers at Bayfield and have wonderful memories of that.
My husband Fred and I have been living in Edmonton for over 40 years – just happened to surf the web for news back home – so glad I caught your announcement.
My thoughts are with you all,
Janet