Harriet Jordan Beard "Jerry" Ackerman

1938 - 2022

Harriet "Jerry" Jordan Beard Ackerman
10/25/2022
Harriet "Jerry" Jordan Beard Ackerman, 84, died on October 24, 2022, at her home in Litchfield, Connecticut, with loved ones at her side. She died as she lived, with grace and quiet dignity.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on October 20, 1938, the daughter of Robert Davis Beard and Harriet Trubee Garlick Beard, she grew up in Milford, Connecticut, and graduated from Milford High School in 1956. She attended Lasell Jr. College, now Lasell University, and graduated in 1958 with an Associate in Science degree.
She was the devoted wife of 53 years to James Frost Ackerman, Jr., until his death in 2013. They met while skiing, sharing a ride on the t-bar, at Pico Peak, VT, in 1959 and were married in February 1960, honeymooning at Mont Tremblant, Canada.
Jerry was employed at both Yale-New Haven Hospital and at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and associated with various medical practices as she and her husband and family moved several times. During their 25 years in Libertyville, IL, she was employed at Baxter Healthcare in Deerfield, IL.
However, she always felt keenly that she wanted to have a Bachelor's Degree, and she achieved this when she was 60, going back to school while working full-time, and graduating with distinction as a member of the Franklin Honor Society from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL, in 2001.
Jerry was involved in civic, church, and community committees in every town they lived in, as her husband's job promotions occurred frequently during the 1960s and 1970s. She felt strongly about community service and often commented that the rewards were far greater than the giving. Her leadership and organizational skills were recognized and acknowledged by the associations and groups in which she served.
Jerry served as President of the Junior League of Greater Waterbury, CT, President of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) in Deerfield, IL, and President of the Captain David Hawley Chapter of the CAR (Children of the American Revolution) in Stratford, CT. She joined the CAR in 1945 as a child.
She joined the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) in 1959, and served as Regent of the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Chapter, in Litchfield, CT. She was a Lifetime Charter member of the Huguenot Society, and a charter member of the Litchfield Hills Chapter of the Colonial Dames. She was an original member of the Milford Hall of Fame Committee, serving as a secretary and on the Research Subcommittee.
Jerry was a member of the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Auxiliary in
Torrington, CT, serving as Membership Chair. She also volunteered with the Seaway Hospital Auxiliary in Trenton, MI, and with the Children's Hospital in Detroit, MI. She was a member of the Litchfield Aid of the CJR (Connecticut Junior Republic). She was on the board of Directors of School on the Green in Litchfield, CT. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Litchfield, since 1964, serving on various committees, and maintaining her membership through the moves to Michigan and Illinois. She was a longtime supporter of the National Cathedral building project.
In addition, she was involved with the Girl Scouts, the Cub Scouts, and spent many years as a Room Mother in the public schools.
Jerry was a descendant of the widow Martha Beard who came to Milford in 1643 as a result of land granted from King Charles I.
Jerry was predeceased by her son Robert Drew Ackerman.
She leaves a daughter, Lysbeth Trubee Ackerman Abrams, and her husband, Lane Jordan Abrams, of Falmouth, MA; and a son, Joshua Frost Ackerman, and his partner, Ann Wehrmeyer Haderlein, of Libertyville, IL. She leaves her beloved grandboys, Ivan Robert Abrams, Henry Frost Abrams, Max Davis Abrams, Nicholas William Ackerman, and Thomas James Ackerman. She also leaves behind Ann's children, Eric and Nicole Haderlein. She leaves her sister, Martha Beard Merk; her brother, James Robert Beard, both of Milford, CT; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry had countless friends and kept in touch with everyone she had ever befriended.
She enjoyed reading, needlework, traveling, canoeing, skiing, volunteering, playing cards, the Hartford and Waterbury Symphonies, and the company of good friends, neighbors, and family. When asked of her proudest accomplishments, she answered simply, "my children." Her lifetime was filled with eternal optimism and she had a love of life that was infectious. She had a deep faith that carried her through some dark times.
We loved our mom and will miss her tremendously.
We would like to thank the Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County for their devoted care and compassion, and the staff and doctors of the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center in Waterbury for their care.
Calling hours will take place at the Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, Litchfield, CT, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, on Monday, November 7, 2022. Funeral services will take place at the First Congregational Church of Litchfield, CT, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church of Litchfield, the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Chapter of the DAR, the Litchfield Historical Society, the Oliver Wolcott Library of Litchfield, CT, and The Samaritans.
Kindly visit www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com to send the family an online condolence.