Harriet NOURSE
Obituary

Harriet Nourse Robinson, born in Berlin, December 23, 1925, passed away peacefully Monday morning, August 15, 2011, at her home in Heritage Heights, Concord.

Harriet, daughter of the late Newton L. Nourse and Marion Worthing Nourse, spent her early years in Portland, Maine. She graduated from Colby College in 1947 as a proud Chi Omega. After her marriage to Dana Robinson in July, 1948, they moved to Newton, Mass. Over the next few years, she brought three boys into this world. In 1963, the Robinson family moved to Japan for three years, before returning to Sudbury, Mass. She was an avid traveler, who made friends everywhere she went and kept them for life.

Besides her many interests in knitting, cooking, and helping people wherever she went, Harriet worked for several retail stores, including the College Shop in J.E. Palmers, Portland, Maine, and Johnny Appleseed's in Concord, Mass. In 1973, Harriet made her first of many trips to China. Over the next thirty years she and Dana lived in Reston, Va., Juno Beach, Fla., and Beijing, China. In Beijing, Harriet became fully involved in various activities. Her interest in local people led to her gaining quite a number of additional "children" - many of whom have continued their relationship with Harriet by letters addressed to "Mom." She also became a mother figure and confidante to staff at the Jianguo Hotel in Beijing, where she and Dana resided for many years, and was fondly referred to as "mayor of the lobby". A great storyteller and lover of life and people, she will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her beloved husband Dana R. Robinson; her sister Frances Johnston of Concord; her three sons: Steven Robinson and his wife Shelley of Bethesda, Md., Davis Robinson and his wife Libby Marcus of Portland, Maine, Timothy Robinson and his wife Barbara of Middlebury, Vt.; beloved nieces Susan Wiggin and her husband Jon, and Carol McCarthy and her partner Richard Clancy; grandchildren Gregory, Ben, Lucas Robinson; Marissa Page; Dana T. Robinson; two great grandchildren, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a special nephew, Bill McCarthy.

A private service will be held by the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Harriet's memory to the Havenwood Resident Endowment Fund, 33 Christian Avenue, Concord, NH 03301.

Arrangements are provided by The Bennett Funeral Home of Concord.

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