Obituary of Harriet Bailey

Harriet Jenkins Bailey Alpine, NY - Harriet J. Bailey, 81 of Alpine, passed away at her home in Alpine, NY, Monday, May 21, 2012. Born December 4, 1930 in Montour Falls, NY, daughter of the late Harris and Martha Edminster Jenkins, Harriet was predeceased by lifelong companion Philip M. King and sister Marjorie Jenkins Bailey. She is survived by the father of her children, Nathan E. Bailey of Kentwood, LA; daughters, Candis M. Bailey (Eric Bean) of Ithaca, NY and Winona K. B. (Alan) Fisher of Mecklenburg, NY; sons Nathan L. (Jeanine) Bailey of Murphy, NC, Robert Dana Bailey (Taina Nilson) of Montour Falls, NY, Harris J. (Elaine) Bailey of Cape Coral, FL; grandchildren Andrew (Brenda) Fisher of Virgil, NY, Angela Fisher (Ryan) Barr of Burdett, NY, Alissa Fisher (Redouane) Elghazi of Watkins Glen, NY, Aaron Fisher of Mecklenburg, NY, Joshua Sullivan, Kaitlyn and Nathan Bailey of Murphy, NC, Kyle Bailey of Montour Falls, NY; great grandchildren Amelia and Eleanor Fisher, Sarah, Hannah, Lucas and Olivia Barr, and Redouane Philip Elghazi; sisters Irene Hubbell of Montour Falls, NY, Mary Hubbell of Newfield, NY, Kay Kannegiser of Venice, FL and Wilma (Rudy) Paige of Columbus, OH; several cousins, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. Harriet was a graduate of Odessa Central School in 1948 and began her working career at Hardinge Brothers in Elmira, NY. She also worked for Artistic Card Co. in Elmira, NY before she began a 17-year career in Olin Library at Cornell University. In 1979, she moved to Ft. Myers, FL where she ultimately retired from Lee County Library. Harriet loved education, literature, music, nature, her family, and especially upstate New York. Her most cherished thing of all was children, not just her own but all children. She aspired to write children's stories and was a great story-teller. After her retirement, Harriet returned to Alpine and became active in the local chapter of TOPS, in which she held office until she was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 2010. Her struggle with the auto-immune disease was an enormous challenge, but she was able to find and share her humor in life's struggles. She was always optimistic about life, believing that anyone can accomplish whatever they put their minds to. She recently joined a bible study with some of her loving friends in Cayutaville, and she leaves a precious legacy of faith and love behind her. The family will welcome relatives and friends to Vedder and Scott Funeral Home, 122 N. Genesee St., Montour Falls, NY on Friday, May 25, 2012 from 11AM to 1PM. Mrs. Bailey's Funeral Service will follow. Harriett will be laid to rest in Laurel Hill Cemetery immediately following. To share a memory, "Light a Candle" or send the family a condolences or words of comfort, please visit www.vedderandscottfuneralhome.com.