Harriet Hoag Haskell

Harriet Hoag Haskell, of Phoenix, Arizona, died in her home on June 1, 2015. She was 84 years old. Harriet is survived by her children, Chris (Rhoda) Brown of Tucson, AZ, Cindi (Rollah) Aston of Roswell, NM, Suzie Ford of Phoenix, Libby Haskell of Santa Rosa, CA, Caroline (Gary) Fujii of Pacific Grove, CA; her 5 beloved grandchildren – Bryan, Matthew, Nik, Riky and Katie; and her siblings, Robert (Caroline) Hoag of Silverdale, WA and Frances (Duane) Weisz of Scottsdale. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Haskell and her parents, Leslie and Harriet Hoag. Harriet was born on January 15, 1931 in Lebanon, PA to Leslie Farmer Hoag and Harriet Whitman Hoag. 

As a child she lived in Johannesburg, South Africa and Salt Lake City, Utah before moving to Phoenix in 1944. She attended North High School, Pine Manor College in MA, and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1952 with a degree in education. Harriet married shortly after college graduation and had Chris, Cindi and Suzie. After meeting Jack Haskell, Harriet remarried in 1973. Jack’s children, Libby and Caroline, were added to the family brood. 

Harriet imparted a great many of her own interests to her children – a love of reading, travel, the Southwest and history (especially as it pertained to Arizona). All of her children remember wonderful skiing trips to Colorado and Utah, as well as family vacations in Mexico. She and Jack later built a beautiful cabin in Flagstaff which hosted many holiday and other family gatherings. All of her children and grandchildren fondly remember her as a loving mother and grandmother whose greatest joy was her family.  

In addition to her family, Harriet had many outside interests and activities: the Board of Visitors, the Heard Museum, Junior League, her prayer group, her reading group, her work on the oral histories of Salt River Project and the Arizona Historical Society, Phoenix Air National Guard (PANG) Patriots, and her decade plus volunteering in her daughter’s classroom. She was also a devout Christian and dedicated member of Christ Church of the Ascension and All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Harriet passed away peacefully in her home after a short illness. All of her family were able to express their love and support before the end. She will be remembered as a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Christ Church of the Ascension, 4015 E. Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, with a celebration of her life to follow immediately after in the reception hall at the church. All are welcome to attend to help the family celebrate Harriet’s life. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Harriet’s name to PANG Patriots, 777 E. Thomas Road, Suite 210, Phoenix, AZ 85014.