Caroline Hartt Syson was born on July 24, 1873, in the Hartt farm house at Jacksontown, New Brunswick, and died on June 4, 1945, in Stettler, Alberta. She died from cancer.

Though she is no longer with us and has gone to her eternal home with the Saviour whom she loved and served, her wish would be to encourage all her descendants to ask the Lord to be their Saviour from sin so they can be assured of spending eternity in heaven with her and the many Hartt ancestors. She had a firm faith throughout her life.

Caroline worked hard as a schoolteacher and a pioneer wife helping on the farm while her husband had to go away and work in a coalmine, in order to make ends meet. Her daughter, Florence, at 88 years of age, still talks about her with great fondness and misses her dearly.

I was just 5 months old at the time of her death. Though I never had the opportunity to get to know my dear grandmother, I feel that I have grown to know her in a very special way from the precious words that she carefully recorded in her journal. What a priceless gift she left for me.

Something very special began to happen as I read the words that my grandmother had so carefully hidden away in her journal. I began to realize just how much I was like my grandmother, this dear woman whose namesake I now own.

I discovered that Grandmother Caroline had a very special desire. She desired that a book be written that would share the history of the Hartt family. Caroline’s wish helped to create the spark in my heart that has driven me to dig deeply back into the Hartt history.

As I have journeyed back in time, I have gotten to know my family in a very intimate way. I have read about their many joys, and I have cried as I have discovered their sorrows. Through the many experiences of the Hartt family, I have learned much about myself.

Now, many years later, my Grandmother’s dream is becoming a reality. The countless hours of research have finally come together to produce a book entitled “From Hart to Hartt, A Family History.”

I dedicate my research and my many hours of work on this project to Caroline Hartt Syson, who will always hold a very special place in my Heart.

I am thankful to the Lord for the Godly heritage that I have.

“FAITH OF OUR FATHERS &( MOTHERS) HOLY FAITH WE WILL BE TRUE TO GOD TILL DEATH” ( From the Hymn)

Carole J. Dick, Lousana, Alberta, Canada

Fondly remembering my father, Johnson Berton Clark, husband, father and grandfather, who passed away three years ago, April 16, 1999, after many years of heart trouble. He was only 79 years old.

My father, Berton was the son of Helen Alberta Lockhart Clark and Johnson Wilmot Clark, and grandson of Charles Berton Lockhart and Theodosia A. Hartt. He was born in Vancouver, B.C., but traveled to his mother’s birth home in Saint John, New Brunswick many times during his life.

My father attended the University of British Columbia, with the intention of studying medicine (his mother’s desire). But quickly found out that this field was not for him, when he passed out at the sight of blood, trying to assist with a medical emergency in his neighborhood. He eventually studied aeronautical engineering in California in his early twenties and joined Trans Canada Airlines (presently Air Canada) as an aircraft mechanic after the Second World War ended. During the war he served one year in the Navy aboard a minesweeper out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on convoys.

In 1947, my father met my mother Rosalind Mary Thompson of Vancouver and they were married the following year at the home of his maternal grandparents, Charles Berton Lockhart and Theodosia Adriana Hartt, in St. John, New Brunswick. He was now planning on attending Dalhousie University for a career in Pharmacy (at his Aunt Alice Lockhart’s persuasion), and decided to do his practicum in a drug store, prior to entering University. He found that he preferred working mechanically with airplanes and at the first opening at Trans Canada Airlines, couldn’t get back to Vancouver fast enough to take up the position. There he worked at Air Canada, until his retirement in 1985.

I remember my father as Mr. FixIt. He could always repair anything; needless to say he never hired any one. He owned every tool and piece of equipment imaginable, industrial strength (as he always professed – you get what you pay for). We are just now finally cleaning out the basement and garage at my parent’s home, and now I really know the extent of his collection! We kids used to refer to all his tools as his toys.

My father worked for Air Canada all those years, with numerous travel passes available to him, yet never traveled much. I once asked him why? All he replied was that he had everything here at home, why travel.

I remember him as enjoying all the family gatherings that we would have, especially the grandchildren in later years. When my father was departing from my home or I was leaving his, he always had to give us extra hugs – something which I now miss.

We never did meet many of his workplace friends, but upon celebrating my parent’s 50^th wedding anniversary, a few of his friends attended. It was then that I realized the respect and admiration he had attained at Air Canada. At his funeral, I remember all these men showing up, about 20 or more, whom we didn’t recognize. It wasn’t until the reception following the service that we realized they were all from Air Canada.

My father was different, lived in his own world sometimes. But I admire him for all his accomplishments. I am writing this on April 15 ^th, and tomorrow, April 16^th will be the third anniversary of his death. I think about him often, miss him, and am looking forward to meeting him again, somewhere up in the heavens.

Contributed by Judith Madsen

Betty and Geraldine

MEMORIES OF BETTY LOUISE (HARTT) HOWELL

by Tamara Seaman - granddaughter

Fondly remembering

OF BETTY LOUISE (HARTT) HOWELL, who passed on September 21, 1987.

I owe any of my knowledge of the Hartt family to my wonderful Grandmother whose name was Betty Louise Howell (Hartt). She passed on September 21, 1987, just two weeks before the birth of our first daughter, Shauna.

Many of my childhood years were spent growing up with my dear grandmother. In the cool of the evenings, my grandmother would share with me stories of the Hartt family. She told me of a grandfather that came from Canada who was involved with a shoe company, little did I know until many years later, that this was the famous Canadian Hartt Boot and Shoe Company! My grandmother never met her grandfather as he died while shoveling snow in Fort Wayne, Indiana just one year before she was born.

I would love to hear about her childhood days, and begged her to tell me the stories over and over. Her mother and father (Harry and Virginia Hartt) lived on Jefferson Street in Huntington, Indiana. My grandmother and her sister, Geraldine would play on the porch and chase the neighbors' chickens. She was very close to her sister and they continued to be close right up until the day that my grandmother died.

I remember my grandmother as being one of the kindest people that I have ever met. She would sacrifice her own comfort if it meant doing something special for someone else. I remember thinking how I wanted to be like her when I grew up as she must have been what "a real adult should act like".

She was also a lot of fun! I remember when I was only a few years old sitting out on her porch and having her cut out paper dolls and circus animals. She would love to spend time with me on that old family porch on Tipton Street in Huntington, Indiana.

My grandmother loved to go to the lakes on the weekends. Our family owned a small vacation house at Lake Tippecanoe. My grandfather had bought an old pontoon boat that we use to go out on during the day. We use to take our boat over to visit my Aunt Jerry (Geraldine) as they lived on Little Tippecanoe Lake, across from the Tippi Dance Hall, a popular gathering place for young people back in the 50's and 60's.

Oh how my grandmother could cook! Every Sunday was a big family day around my grandmother's house! She would spend hours in preparation. Her fried chicken could not be topped! I still to this day, no matter how hard I try, cannot make it taste as good as hers! On Saturday, she would roll out the noodles. She would playfully scold me as I would sneak under the table and tear a bit of the noodles off while they were drying. In the summer, she would specialize in her peach dumplings. She always liked cooking what she knew others liked. She knew my likes and dislikes! One of my favorite things she cooked was "Canadian Bacon". I guess Canada runs in our blood.

Not only was my grandmother an excellent mother and grandmother, but she was a fine businesswoman and civic leader as well! She was a top Avon representative for close to 36 years. I used to help her bag her orders and go out with her to deliver. She had many customers. Everyone loved her and looked forward to her visit each week. In her Avon career she achieved many awards. One of the highlights of her time with Avon is the time she won a trip to Monaco. It was her first time out of the country. I remember taking her to the airport. How I missed her for those ten days! While in Monaco, she had the privilege of having dinner with Princess Grace. All of the guests at the dinner received a beautiful scarf that Princess Grace designed for the event. It was very special to her. I remember that she was very sad when Princess Grace was killed shortly after that, in an automobile accident.

My grandmother was a member of the Altrusa Club. This is a club that allows only one in each category from a stated career into the club at a time. She was a member until her passing in 1987. She was also a "Circle Leader" for several years in her church.

As I share these words, I remember my dear grandmother fondly. She was truly a special woman and friend to me. The zeal that she had for life has helped me to establish my life as a wife and mother. Though I am sad that she is no longer here with us, I have come to realize that there is no better thing that I could do as to share with other relatives of what I know about our family. This keeps the memories alive, and I think that this is what my dear grandmother would have liked to have happen.

So as I follow the history of the Hartts, I dedicate it to Betty L. Hartt, loving mother, dear grandmother and precious great grandmother to the child that she never got to meet. She was truly the Hartt with a big loving heart! All of our family dearly misses her and honors her for being the person that she was.

Also Remembering Geraldine Hartt (Helvie)

Geraldine Hartt (Oldest daughter of Harry D. Hartt, sister to Betty L. Hartt)

Memories of Aunt Jerri

When I remember my Aunt Jerri, I remember a loving person that was a lot of fun to be with. My memories of her are sweet and the times that I spent with her will never be forgotten.

Being close to my grandmother meant being close to my Aunt Jerri. These two Hartt sisters were like two peas in a pod, and often times people would refer to them as such as they loved to spend time together.

Aunt Jerri was married to Charles Wilson, who we called “Pal”. Aunt Jerri and Pal owned a lake house on Lake Tippecanoe in North Webster, Indiana. Many good times were spent there through the summer seasons. Pal loved to fish, and it was him that instilled a love for the sport that I still enjoy to this day. He bought me my own cane pole and taught me the skills of catching Blue Gill. On warm summer evenings, you could find Aunt Jerri and Pal out on their pontoon boat cruising the lake, or maybe stopping in at their favorite boat gas spot called, “Paton’s Place”.

Another favorite place “at the lakes” that Aunt Jerri liked to visit was, “Foo and Fayes” restaurant in Syracuse, Indiana. She loved chop suey! Even in her later years, she spoke of her favorite Chinese dish.

The lake house was a favorite place for the meeting of all family members. I remember holidays in which the entire extended family would be together. Aunt Jerri would roast a big turkey for such occasions and it would be a regular Hartt feast!

Aunt Jerri and Pal also loved to spend the long cold winters in Pompano Beach, Florida. They had a lovely double wide mobile home for a number of years. While in Florida, they were distinguished members of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Our family looked forward each year to vacationing in Florida and visiting her and pal. Even in Florida, Pal made sure that I had a cane pole to fish with as out in front of their home was a small pond. We were careful to watch out for the alligator that lived there! One day, this reptile had decided to sun himself in the yard between Aunt Jerri’s neighbor and her house. Needless to say, we were very watchful when we went out to take our walks at night after that!

I went to Walt Disney World with Aunt Jerri, Pal, my grandmother and grandfather for the first time when I was 9 years old. The Hartt sisters had as much fun as I did I think! Their favorite ride was, “It’s a Small World”. Each time I visit Disney to this day I must be sure that we visit this attraction in remembrance of my Aunt Jerri and “Mommom”.

Sadly, Aunt Jerri lost Pal at their 50^th wedding anniversary. After the ceremony, Pal went into the bathroom, and when he didn’t come out, his son went and found him on the floor. The celebrations quickly turned into a sad event for all of the family and guests that were in town to celebrate.

Years later, Geraldine married Frank Helvie. The Helvies had been good friends of the Wilson's for many years. Frank lost his wife, Lena, and eventually Geraldine and Frank got married on Feb. 14 on year. They spent several years together until Frank passed away at the age of 91. Geraldine lived to be 93 years old. She is buried in Huntington, Indiana.

Her two children survive. Daughter, Juanita lost her husband, Gordon shortly after Aunt Jerri passed. They had two children, Jim and Jodi. She lives in Huntington, Indiana. Son, Lt. Col. Dick Wilson and his wife, Jackie, lives in Biloxi Mississippi. Dick and Jackie have five grown children, Steve, Kim, Chris, Mike and Marty (The two later boys are twins.) Dick and Jackie have grandchildren. An interesting note about Dick Wilson is that he was a very successful Air Force Pilot and was instrumental in the design of the “Blackbird” aircraft used in the U.S. military.

Jennie Lind (Roach) Hartt 1898-1990

Fondly remembering

Jennie Lind Roach Hartt. born on September 17, 1898, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was the eldest daughter of Richard and Cornelia Roach's family of 11 children.

Jennie grew up in a Christian family in the Green Lake district of Seattle, where she attended school up to the high school grades. At an early age, Jennie came to know Jesus as her Savior and yielded her life to him. In 1914, she met David Roy Hartt at a Christian conference in Tacoma. They were married of April 7, 1918, in Seattle. From their union, seven children were born - five in Washington State and two in California. While raising the family, Jennie and Roy were active in Christian ministries - mainly the
fellowship of the Plymouth Brethren Assemblies.

After living in Seattle and Bremerton, Washington, the family lived in Stockton and Los Angeles, California. Then, for about a year, they lived in Reno, Nevada. From there, it was back to Sacramento and San Francisco, California. In 1935, the family moved to Spokane, Washington, then west to Silverdale to a home that Jennie and Roy had visited years earlier (around 1918 or 1919 - early in their marriage).

In 1937, Dan Roach, Jennie's brother, went up to Three Hills, Alberta, Canada, to attend Prairie Bible Institute, and, in 1938, David Hartt left home to also attend PBI. The missionary emphasis of the school and the personal ministry of L.E.Maxwell greatly challenged Jennie to invest her life in some ministry for the Lord and missions. Finally, she and Roy made the decision to sell the place in Silverdale, Washington, and move to PBI.

During the summer of 1944, Jennie and Roy (along with Jennie's sister Nina and her husband Clarence Mumford, and their daughters) moved to Three Hills. Within a year, they became members of the staff at the Prairie Bible Institute. From 1944 until 1985, they were active members of the staff there. In 1984, Jennie moved into the Extended Care Unit of the Three Hills Health Care Centre, and in 1985, Roy joined her where they have continued until she passed away in 1990.

Four of Jennie's seven children have served on the mission field. In 1941, David went to Haiti and Guadeloupe and he is still serving actively in missionary service. In 1948, Margaret went to Portugal where she and her husband are currently serving. Bradford went to Cuba in 1948 and is currently serving a Spanish Church in Washington. Charlotte went to Irian Jaya in 1956 where she and her husband are presently serving.

Jennie, during her time of service at Prairie was a "mother" to many students who, during their time at PBI, found a home away from home with Mother Hartt. She worked for years at the laundry of the Institute.

Fishing was a great joy to Jennie. The "fishing bug" bit her rather late in life, but she and Roy spent many pleasant hours camping and fishing at the local hot trout spots.

Jennie was pre-deceased by three brothers and two sisters, one granddaughter, and one great grandchild.. Jennie is survived by her husband, D.R.Hartt, and seven children: David Hartt and his wife, Irma, of Abbotsford, B.C.; Richard Hartt and his wife Jean, of Pasadena, California; Jean Denton and her husband, Don, of Pittsburg, California; Margaret Grewell and her husband, Russell, of Porto, Portugal; Bradford Hartt and his wife, Ruth, of Seattle, Washington; Charlotte Griffiths and her husband, Richard, of Manokwari, Irian Jaya; Joseph Hartt and his wife, Brita, of Denver, Colorado; plus 18 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, four sisters and one brother.

To see a page dedicated to Jennie's husband, David Roy Hartt, and their families click here.

Contributed by Brad Hartt in Washington

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Margaret was the fourth of seven children born to Roy and Jennie Hartt.

Charlotte Griffiths Comments...

My sister Margaret surprised the rest of the family in what she accomplished in life. Daddy called her Pudgie because she was skinny and sickly as a little girl. He never thought she would live beyond 3 yrs.

What she lacked in some areas (she needed speech therapy before entering school and had to work extra hard for her grades) she made up by her gentle spirit with people and animals . She was a dear sister who lived out that God's plan was good (and fun a lot of the time) and her example was a big help to me in my teen years. She also was very gifted musically.

In Portugal, she was said to have the "tongue of the Portuguese" and people frequently mistook her for a national on the phone. She loved serving the people God gave her to love, through music and camp other ministries. She and her husband arranged their finances so each year Margaret could visit her elderly parents in Canada, and her month-long visit was a highlight in their year. They even flew to visit her in Portugal 2 different times.

At the end of Margaret's long struggle with cancer, which ended in 1995 in Bradenton, FL, the TEAM Portuguese group of churches sent a senior pastor to attend the funeral and to speak a wonderful tribute in her honor. She is deeply missed by her husband, family, and many many Portuguese and other
friends.

Russell Grewell's Comments (husband of Margaret)...

The Lord brought us together in marriage in our early forties in 1968. Though we continued to hold meetings and work with the contacts in the interior for a few years after our marriage, our main ministry from 1968 was the development of the Porto church.

In Lisbon (before our marriage) Margaret was often called upon to minister musically in many of the usual small congregations of the Lisbon area - with trios (etc.), voice solos and playing the organ, piano or her accordion for the worship services.

In our Bible camps her musical ministry was a central part of the camp program - always getting together, a good choir, duets, trios, etc., and camp group chorus & hymn singing. She often taught Bible study hour for children & young people.

Her music ministry was much blessed in the radio outreach. And then she did correspondence course follow up with those who were contacted. I know one of the ladies she led to the Lord in her ministry. Our last contact with this lady was shortly before we retired. She was living in France and still going on very strong for the Lord in spite of her rascal husband and her daughters who had turned away from the Lord.

Her ministries made a tremendous difference in the Porto church planting -and in the interior. For one thing, Russell doesn't have much range or volume in his (duck quack) voice and, without an instrument, consequently, he was floundering in trying to teach hymns & choruses to new Christians - Margaret to the rescue! Then, in a society where single men are greatly suspect, it was difficult for him to have a ministry to the ladies (other than from the pulpit). She was also great with the children & young people.

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It was early Wednesday Morning that my husband and my son’s came into my bedroom to awaken me. They stood quiet. Knowing that this was not their usual behavior, I sensed something was very wrong. My husband came over and sat down beside me on the bed and gently whispered, “Honey, Jack didn’t make it”. A flood of emotion instantly engulfed me as I heard the reality that we had lost our dear uncle Jack. Grief hit me like a sledge hammer.

It was not suppose to turn out like this. He was only 57 years of age. When he had gone into the hospital on Monday, he assured us that he had a slight touch of pneumonia and that he would soon be home. Keith went that evening and talked to him. Obviously he was a bit weak from the medication and treatment, but he was in good spirits and told us again not to worry because he would be home in about two days and to take good care of the cats.

Less than 36 hours later, his condition had deteriorated drastically to the point that he was being taken to ICU. On the way, he suffered a massive heart attack and at approx. midnight, regardless of every attempt that the medical attendants had made to revive his life, he died.

I was totally unprepared for such shocking news. As I laid back in bed trying to grasp the reality of what I had just heard, my mind started to take me back in time.

The place was Huntington, Indiana. The time was the mid 1970’s. Looking out the window of the old family home on Tipton Street, I watched the snow gracefully floating through the sky and falling upon the ground to form layer after layer of fluffy white snow. My grandmother had just bundled me up in warm clothes and securely wrapped a knit scarf around my head and neck to keep me warm. “Uncle Jack! Hurry up! I am getting hot in all these clothes!” Jack had promised to take me sledding and I was anxious to go. This was just one of the many wonderful memories that I have of my early childhood with Uncle Jack.

Uncle Jack had always been like my big brother. After coming back home after serving in Viet Nam, he stayed with my grandparents. Since I was very close to my grandparents, I spent a lot of time at their home as well. I practically grew up with Jack.

It was Jack that taught me how to roller skate when I was only about 5 or 6. He would patiently hold me up to keep me from falling as I gained my balance and self-confidence.

Whenever he would go out to look for a new car, he would be sure to take me with him to help choose. I remember that one of our favorite little cars was a sporty TR6 that we had found at a dealership in Marion, Indiana in the mid-70’s. I remember riding with him with the convertible top down that same evening that he bought the car as he took me to the VFW Street Fair for a night of carnival rides and games.

In the Spring- time at Aunt Jerrie and Charles lake home on Tippecanoe Lake, the family would meet to “put out the pier”. It was a big family event and Aunt Jerrie and mommom (my grandmother) would prepare a big turkey dinner to all celebrate being together. Many times Jack would get out a big tractor tire tube and several of us would go out floating out on the lake.

Jack loved the water and several years ago he finally had been able to buy a boat. He had the boat for several years before selling it. It was a ski boat. When my family lived in Indiana on Lake Webster in North Webster, Indiana, Jack and my then two small children, Nathan and Shauna would go out for the day with him for a time of swimming and boating. We always had so much fun.

As my uncle loved and spent so much time with my little brother Troy and I, he continued to extend his love to my children as they came along through the years.

Shauna and Nathan were very close to uncle Jack as they were growing up. He taught them things that he had taught me when I was just a child. As our family grew, each of the children found a special love in their hearts for Jack that will never be replaced. I remember Jack telling me not too long ago that he thought it was so special that he could do things with my children that he did with my brother and I when we were growing up. It seemed to give him purpose and a reason to go on. He lived for his family.

During Florida’s infamous 2004 Hurricane season, Jack and his two cats weathered three storms with us. We were together for several-days for each one of them. During these times, we talked of past family times and the fun that we always seemed to have together. We also shared sorrowful times and gave each other hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Uncle Jack had recently gone through a situation with us that had caused our entire family so much pain. He was always willing to do what he could to help us to feel better and to offer words of encouragement that someday things would be better. He never could understand how this situation could have happened to such a close and loving family. I hope that his words will come true and reconciliation will occur someday even though he is not here to see this happen.

Jack never had many material things. He never married and as he got older and was in more pain from headaches and other complications from years of suffering various ailments, he told me that he never wanted to have to have someone “take care of him, so it was best that he remained alone”. He was always very sensitive of being a burden on anyone. He never wanted to put anyone out.

His family was very important to him. He would do anything that he could to bring a smile to someone’s face. I had seen him pay his last dollar out just so my children could have something that would make them happy. He was just that type of guy.

Nathan, our oldest son, had been very close to Jack in the past few months. Jack was helping Nathan to prepare for his enlistment into the Navy or Coast Guard. Each day they would work out exercising and lifting weights. He would also help Nathan on working on his studies for his ASVAB exam. In their free time, they would go to the library and get movies to watch together, go to the beach and other things. They so enjoyed spending time together. Nathan was probably one of the closest people to him in Jack’s last days with us.

Joshua (10), also misses Uncle Jack very much. He use to go spend the night with him and watch movies and run errands with him.

My girls, Hannah (7) and Jessica (8) had such a good time with him during our “Hurricane Parties”. They would spend hours talking and playing with him. The last time that he was here, just several weeks ago, they had built a big fort around him out of pillows and blankets. He had such a good time with him and they miss him so very much.

Ari, our baby just three years old, also loved his uncle Jack. He would watch out the window for him to come over in his little red VW car. It is sad that he will not get to know him as our other children did, but we will make a special effort to teach him about Jack and so he will know that he knew his uncle and that he loved Ari very much.

My husband, Keith, had also grown very attached to Jack. Jack would give him haircuts and help Keith out with little things around the house as we prepared for the storms. Keith was the last one in the family to see Jack before his passing. Jack will always hold a very special place in Keith’s heart as well as a good friend.

I could go on and on with wonderful memory after wonderful memory of the times that we spent with Uncle Jack. It would take many pages and much time to compile.

After all, how could one ever express to others in just a few short words how much this very special relative meant to all his family? He was a devoted and respectful son to his parents, a loving and faithful brother to his sister and a committed and loyal uncle to his many nieces and nephews who will miss him all so very much.

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Esteemed Dave,

Your kids called today to tell me that your train had left the station and that you were on it. We can't help wishing that your health had been more robust for the last few years, and that you and my friend Erma had a more enjoyable and rewarding period during what the poets call Twilight Time.

Since Jean and I are unable to attend this gathering, perhaps I might have permission to reminisce for a bit about some of your early life--and of some of the events and adventures that we shared. Charlotte has graciously consented to read them.

Brad will remember the Reno period, during which we lived (how could life be sweeter?) next to the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, where the locomotive engineer (really, it was the fireman, but we didn't know any better) would blow steam from the engine at us. What a thrill!

And the Truckee River nearby, which was filled with all manner of living creatures, some of which were collected and put into the bathroom wash basin for further study, but were then forgotten until the next morning, when our patient Dad tried to shave and was confronted by little crawfish who threatened him with open claws, ready to pinch. Or newly deceased minnows which had expired during the night, due to non-running water.

Then we moved to Sacramento as Sears tried to find some formula or business approach which would minimize the impact of The Depression. That was a fine city for us kids, since we lived right next to a vineyard which grew Muscat grapes, and whose owners allowed constantly-hungry kids to pick some of the grapes which the paid pickers had passed-by. You must understand that those passed-by grapes had a very high sugar content, and were simply the sweetest of all grapes.

And of course, The Delta King and the Delta Queen, stern-wheeler boats which traveled overnight from San Francisco to Sacramento and vice versa. Who could aspire to such grandeur as to be a passenger on either of these noble vessels? It was simply beyond wishing!

Next to San Francisco in about 1933. I'm pretty sure that Dave became interested in radio at this time. I don't remember any earlier indications of interest, but in 1933-34, those interests caused a lot of sleepless hours, since we shared a room, as I recall. I can still remember without pleasure "..da-dit, da-dit, da-da-dit-da...." far into the night, while Dave was attempting to communicate with some other idiot who didn't have enough sense to go to sleep. For crying out loud, that's what nights were invented for!

It was at about this period that Dave got the hots to build a boat...actually a pram...using some left-over wood and canvas from a trailer which our Dad had put together for the semi-constant trips to Seattle and tacoma which our parents seemed to enjoy. This pram of Dave's was painted an olive-spinach green (again, the left-over paint of the afore-mentioned trailer), and while the color was a bilious one, I thought that it was beautiful!

This particular Summer was a Lake Tahoe Summer (our parents alternated between Tahoe and the Northwest, as I recall) and Dave's pram was an honored part of the trailer-load of stuff which was necessary for the week or so at the lake. How I admired that pram with it's club-like oars! One little problem: Dave wouldn't let me use it. (A very wise move on his part, but I thought that his attitude was despicable!)

There was only one course of action left for me and that was to steal the darn boat, even though I knew there would be consequences. Which I did, and which there were.

After my lip healed, our great Dad persuaded Dave (I still don't know how) to let me take the boat out into the lake for a longer row (did I mention that it was a one-person vessel?). Which I did, of course, wearing a swim suit because it was such a hot day. I can still remember that clear, clear water and the large fishes swimming among the logs and stumps at the bottom of the lake. Fascinating! So fascinating, in fact, that I overstayed my allowed time. Dave was not pleased, but that wasn't the worst part: I didn't know about altitude sunburn, and the combination of the boat ride and shirt-off comfort on such warm sand gave me a sunburn that I can remember to this day. I couldn't move my legs for probably two days, and then ever so gingerly. Ah, the joys of Summer!

Then, Spokane. Here, Dave had his own little cabin in which to da-dit all night long and not disturb anyone. He and I (and I think later, Jean) attended Lewis & Clark High School. Our Dad would drive us from our house a couple miles outside of town to school, drop us off, and continue to Sears, at which store he was in charge of the Shipping Dept. After school, we would ride a bus to the edge of town and walk home or--if the weather was simply too cold and rainy for walking--we'd walk to Sears and wait for our Dad to get through work, so that we could ride home with him.

Dave graduated before I did, and went to work for Sears, right away, as I recall. Then, when I graduated from High School, our Dad persuaded Sears Management, against their better judgement, to hire me as well.

At Sears, Dave met Salvador Sigismundo Malo, the radio repairman there. Dave and he used to argue religion (Mr. Malo was Catholic, I believe). Anyway, at about this time, I think that Dave went to PBI, and you all know more about his life from there on than I.

But - you know - I still wonder what happened to the boat, now that my lip has healed.

Natane Nutting 1916-2005

The following letter arrived from Nicole (Nikki) Nutting, Natane's daughter, living in Bonita, California.

July 29, 2005

Dear Friends and Relations:

My mother Tane Nutting, died peacefully in her sleep early yesterday. After a long, rich and satisfying life she was ready.

Her legacy to me was the example she set: to enjoy other people, have interesting pursuits, and make the most of opportunities. I will be a perennial student.

Private services will be held, and I trust that her many friends around the globe will find relevant ways to honour her memory. If anyone feels compelled to make a charitable donation in her name, her favorites were those organizations, which protected animals.

Hopefully all of you, friends and family, will remember the good times. I know she loved you all.

Sincerely,
Nikki Nutting

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Memories by Glenna Bell
- Fredericton, New Brunswick

Her address book went missing when she went into the nursing home in Chula Vista several months ago and Nikki asked me to pass along the word. I also know she was an avid historian and loved to look up family history. You can tell as some of her writings are in the Hartt family supplement. And it was through that that I really got to know her at all. She was looking for information on her great grandmother Elizabeth Sinclair - whom she was named after - her middle name is Sinclair. I started corresponding with her over that and eventually Miriam and I went down to San Diego for 10 days in 1994 (I think) and she showed us a really, really good time. Then she and Nikki came up to Fredericton several years later and it was lovely to take them around. We had a large family gathering at my sister Carol's house in Fredericton Junction and got to meet everyone and had a great time.

Tane was a lovely, witty, personable, enjoyable person that you just loved spending time with, and we will all miss her. I wish we all could have known her better and longer. She always said she loved "mixing it up with her Canadian cousins!!!!" Several of us have decided to put a donation into the Currie House Historical Society in her name. It seems such a fitting way to get the word out to the family about Tane's passing. I will mail a copy of this to Nikki.

(click for larger photo)

She was born Miriam Dorothy Nason in Fredericton Junction, New Brunswick on May 31st, 1929 and was the first child of Clara Adriana Hartt and Charles Victor Nason both of whom were born and grew up in Fredericton Junction - a small town of 7 or 8 hundred people and a railway town where the Fredericton train met up with the main line across Canada.

She attended Sunbury Grammar School and graduated with the class of 1947 (the year I started school). One of my earliest memories is of being at her graduating ceremonies with my Mom and Dad and little sister Carol at the Agricultural Hall. She looked so beautiful in her long white gown with a red corsage and long dark curly hair.

After graduating Miriam moved to an apartment in Fredericton and got a job with NB Tel and worked for them as a switchboard operator until her first marriage when she moved to Nova Scotia at age 29. During her single years she came home most weekends and we were always so excited to see her. She always was so well dressed in beautiful clothes and make-up and perfume and nail polish and her hair done up just so (like a movie actress and I was crazy about movie stars) - plus she was always bringing us gifts. Sometimes she would bring girlfriends home for the weekend and sometimes the occasional boyfriend. Miriam always had many friends!! She also took Carol and I to Fredericton several times to stay with her in her apartment in the summer hols. That was just so exciting!!! And it was lovely to have a big sister like her.

Miriam took a correspondence course in bookkeeping and after moving to Nova Scotia she worked as a Bookkeeper for several companies over the years including Maritime Sand & Gravel until her retirement in the early 80's. She lived in NS for 42 years and I think she came home for just about every one of those Christmases. Christmas would not have been the same without Miriam.

After her divorce in the 70's and the single life again for a few years she met and married Percy Dares of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Percy, a former Navy man and Tavern owner, had been heavily involved in the municipal politics and served many years on the town council. He was also an avid NDP supporter so Mim got involved with all of that and worked for the party and hosted events etc. (She even had me typing up voter's lists) She also took piano lessons in her spare time. Mim seemed to have boundless energy was a great crafts person. I always said she took every course known to man!!! Knitting, crocheting, sewing, plastic canvas, ceramics, tole painting, quilting, embroidery and cross-stitching to name a few. And she was very good at all of them but really excelled in oil paintings and left us many pictures to treasure and which we have divided amongst the family and friends. I have one of the seascapes and an autumn scene. She also collected stamps and coins.

After Percy passed away in the late 80's, Miriam became very much involved in her church work and in volunteer work. I used to spend my summers with her as I was required to take the summers off at my job at UNB and there was hardly ever a day went by that she was not driving someone to hospital or delivering meals or working at the Dartmouth Senior Centre, or at the church and she did it all with such joy and laughter.

During those summers we traveled all over Nova Scotia and PEI. Mim would holler up the stairs to me "How'd you like to go to PEI for the weekend?" Of course I always said, "love to". Then we would get on the phone and call up our cousin Eunice Scribner and Mim's good friend Ruth Wiseman and the 4 of us would take off for the weekend. We had some of the best times. We visited everything we saw along the way and stopped at all the yard sales and craft shops and ate in every restaurant in NS - I think. They knew all the restaurants and how good they were by then. Soon as we got into the hotel the cards came out. And we played spite and malice and laughed ourselves silly!!! (It is now called skip-bo)

Miriam loved to travel and in her lifetime she took many trips. I don't think I can even remember them all but I know she went to Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Bermuda, England, Scotland, Ireland, several United States trips, Alaska, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and one big European tour which included the Passion Play at Oberammergau near the German/Austrian border and 5 or 6 different countries. She went thru the doors of the Vatican which only are opened every 25 years.

Miriam was also known in her later years for having pets. Her first little shiatsu (and, as Erma Bombeck said, aptly named) was Duncan. She loved that dog and treated it like a baby. (and I sort of loved that dog too and he loved us both. Sometimes he was torn as to whom to sleep with and it usually was the last one to bed). She later rescued a sick homeless beat up cat named Tiger and gave him a great home. These were followed by Mittens, the new little shiatsu, and a cat named Molly. She had made arrangements for both of them to be adopted by other parents before she passed away. She dearly loved her animals.

Nine years ago Miriam decided she would like to move back home to Fredericton Junction to be near her family and to give up some of her volunteer work, which was becoming a little overwhelming. Well so much for that thought, she very quickly got involved with everything going on in the Junction - United Baptist Church, Historical Society, Legion and the Gladstone Seniors and Fredericton Bowling League, singing in the Cantata and all the while becoming more and more involved in collecting and recording Family Tree information. She was a great person to volunteer her time!!! She very quickly got to know everyone in the community and surrounding area and they knew her. She even called the numbers for the bingo at the White Rapids Manor every Tuesday. Thru all this you have to know her hands never stopped knitting and crocheting afghans and doilies to donate to the Seniors for fund raising and baby things for hospitals and hats for the people in Chad in Africa for the missionaries to give out. And she had many charities she supported. One would think with all this activity she would not have time to read, but one would be very mistaken! My son and I lugged over 2000 books out of the house to the garage for the garage sale and I would guess she had read most of them. Plus she followed 6 soap opera shows on TV which she taped in the daytime and watched at night. She never slept very well - only 3 or 4 hrs a night.

I cannot talk about Miriam without mentioning how much she loved eating out. She never missed an opportunity to eat out: at local community event breakfasts, lunches & dinners, in the local restaurant for sure every Sunday after church and in Fredericton whenever she needed to come to town. Most of the time she insisted on paying for everyone else. She had a very generous nature!!! When our mother got sick toward the end of her life Miriam put her life in NS on hold and came home for a year and looked after Mom. I know that if there is a Heaven she is in it!!!

Miriam was very much a family person. She always found time to come home to visit often. She dearly loved all the members in our family and especially the children we had. She never had any children but she loved ours like they were her own.

About 6 years ago Miriam began experiencing stomach problems, which was the beginning of her Bowel Cancer. After 3 operations and several rounds of chemo and radiation later it finally took her life. I have already told the great people in the Hart/Hartt network many times what a trooper she was and how much courage and faith she had. And I would like to thank everyone who sent cards and best wishes and prayers for her. She kept on bouncing back after each session and kept on going. She was our Miracle Woman!! We will miss her but we have some great memories of her!!!

On October 26th, 2006, at 11am, a group of family and friends will be laying her ashes to rest with her husband Percy Dares in the Mount Herman Cemetery in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

Florence Syson

Early on the morning of August 8, 2007, Florence Pearl (Syson) Clark passed away in the Stettler Health Care Center after losing a courageous three-year battle with cancer. She is now in the presence of her Lord and Saviour, who she loved and served.

She was born December 27th, 1913 on the Hartt homestead near Jacksontown, Carleton County, New Brunswick. When she was three months old, she came across Canada by train with her mother to join her father, Richard, and her brother, Thurston, on the homestead north of Stettler.

Florence attended Pilot Knob School where her mother Caroline was the first school teacher 100 years ago. At age 17, she attended Normal School in Camrose to become a teacher herself. For the next 70 years, she helped organize Normal School Class reunions and for 60 years a “round robin letter” between classmates was enjoyed.

Her teaching career lasted over 30 years. The schools she taught at were Lynx, Kinsella, Elk Point, Nevis, Pilot Knob, Blumenau, Cora Lynn, Stettler Elementary. She substituted at Botha, Waverly, Drake (Tees), Silver Prairie, Vimy Ridge, Fritz Hill, Wellsburg, Liberal, Lyncot. She made lifetime friendships with some of her pupils, who still came to visit and phoned after all those years.

Her parents were Charter Members of the Stettler Baptist Church so it was natural for Florence to enjoy attending Sunday School, Church and Young People’s group. She accepted the Lord as her Saviour, was baptized, and joined the church in 1927. She was active in the church all her life. She served as the Church Historian, Sunday School teacher, Deaconess and Treasurer of the Western Baptist Missionary Society.

Florence had a lifetime membership in the Western Baptist Missionary Society, in the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and in the Stettler Hospital Volunteer Society. She was active in the Pilot Knob Ladies’ Club for many years. She was the co-editor of a community history book, “Red Willow Reflection.” For 35 years, Don and Florence willingly volunteered at the Nursing Home where they compassionately helped and fed the elderly residents. One day Florence commented that “I just don’t know when I will be on the other end of this spoon!” Also, for 25 years they faithfully took their turn delivering Meals on Wheels to the shut-ins.

Florence married Don Clark on July 14, 1942 and they spent 61 happy years together. To this union three children were born. As Carole, John and Colleen grew, left home, got married, and began families of their own, Don and Florence joyfully moved into a new role of being grandparents. After they retired from farming and teaching, they moved into Stettler in 1989 where they had more time to enjoy each other. They had always shared a marvelous companionship and especially enjoyed traveling in their trailer. They had the privilege of touring the United States, United Kingdom and also Europe. After Don’s “home-going,” Florence moved into the Willow Creek Lodge in 2003 where she adjusted to a new life and made new friends.

Florence was the family historian and was always noted for her wonderful story telling. Don and Florence hosted an International Syson Reunion in 2001. New-found cousins came from England, Cyprus and three U.S. states. At 90, Florence still enjoyed meeting many cousins at three Hartt family reunions, one in New Brunswick and two in Alberta.

Florence has lived a good, full life. She was a gracious lady, always presenting herself with poise and dignity. More importantly, she had a kind and compassionate heart that led her into action to help others in need, whether it was with a kind word of encouragement, a pat on the back for a job well done, or simply a grateful smile or a whispered prayer. Although she worked hard for her money, she would generously share what she had to help someone in need. For example, she paid for a child to attend Bible camp and helped to pay tuition for a student to attend Bible School. She supported many missionaries and charitable organizations. In the late 50’s, she lovingly opened her heart and her home to 13 year old Evelyn who needed a home while she finished out the school year. Florence seized that opportunity to be a strong, positive influence in the life of a young girl. At school, she was Miss Syson or Mrs. Clark to her many pupils who can attest to her caring guidance as a dedicated teacher.

Florence will also be remembered for her hospitality as she enjoyed having company in her home. No matter the size of family, they were all welcome at her table. Other guests she especially looked forward to were the numerous missionaries who were home on furlough. The family enjoyed the many interesting and intriguing stories. Florence felt so blessed to have known so many dear friends from far and near.

Carole, John and Colleen are so thankful to have been raised by a Christian mother. She was truly interested in every family member and prayed for each one. She demonstrated daily an example of Christian love to her family and to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Our hope and prayer is that we will take what she has taught us about life and that it will make a big a difference in the lives of others, just as she has done.

Florence was predeceased by her husband Donald (2003), parents Richard (1958) and Caroline (1945), brothers Gerald (1915) and Thurston (1979), sister-in-law Dorothy Syson (2001), and nephew Kenneth Syson (2006).

Florence will be lovingly missed by her children Carole (Eldon) Dick of Lousana, John (Dianne) Clark of Stettler, Colleen Newlove of Calgary; her grandchildren Laureen (Graydon) Smithers, Ronda (Matt) Tees, Brad (Amanda) Clark, Ryan Clark (Tanya), Shannon Clark (Darryl), Ryan (Jamie) Newlove, Brent (Brenda) Newlove; her great-grandchildren Kyle and Devon Smithers, Calvin Tees and Nathan Newlove. Also, niece Joy Syson, cousins Paul and Rose Hartt, Shirley Webb, Eileen (Bill) Erichson, Marjorie Lohr and Joyce Webb plus numerous other relatives and a host of wonderful friends.

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