Harriett S. Walther

1932 - 2021

December 11, 1932 - March 20, 2021 Orange County civic leader, Harriett Walther, died on Saturday of natural causes at the age of 88. Her many accomplishments in public and community education ranged from being a nursery school teacher and director for Head Start, to her appointment and re-election to the Saddleback Community College District Board of Trustees, where she served two terms as president and three as vice president, and as president of California Association of Community Colleges. Long-term member and past president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, she was also director of the National Issues Forum of Orange County, and an officer and program chair for the American Association of University Women. She received many accolades including the Saddleback College Students' Outstanding Leadership Award, the Association of Tustin Schools for Outstanding Service as Administrator, Soroptimist International of Irvine for Woman of Distinction in Economic and Social Development, Saddleback College's Outstanding Woman in Orange County, Outstanding Board Member from the Orange County School Board Association, AAUW Award for Outstanding Service to the Tustin Community and as its California Legislature Assembly Volunteer of the Year. In her personal life she was an avid choral singer and a proud graduate of Stanford University; she cherished her performance at the San Francisco Opera House with the Stanford choir under direction of Pierre Monteau, as she did her later involvement with the choir at the University Synagogue of Irvine, where she had her adult Bat Mitzvah. A supporter of Israel, anti-war, pro-choice, opponent of guns, a terrible swimmer but an avid dog-lover, she was known and loved for her quick wit and sense of humor. She was a trusted friend to many, lifelong best friends with her beloved sister, Jackie Wissen, proud of her sons, Joe and Eric Walther, daughter-in-law Sandra Walther, grandson Ben Walther, and the beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and neighbors who gathered at her home and at her table. Of her own passing, Harriett would no doubt remark, "That could have been serious." Donations in her memory may be directed to the League of Women Voters.