Harriette Reeves-Forsythe

Harriette Reeves-Forsythe 1925 - 2010 BRATTLEBORO, VT Harriette Camp Reeves-Forsythe died of a recurrence of cancer on Nov. 15, 2010. Hattie loved many things deeply: her family, her friends around the world, her students and her pets. Her life and death were graced with amazing generosity, purpose, and peacefulness. This was the active expression of her deeply held belief that the entire world should be well nourished, and that everyone should be included. This belief led to expressions of love, in her every interaction with others, as well as her participation in many peace committees and ecological groups. Hattie was born in Reading Mass., May 1, 1925. She grew up during the Depression, the beloved only granddaughter in her extended family. Her parents, Harry Upson and Adra Powers Camp, and her brothers, Gilbert and Charles, loved music and service in their church and town. During World War II, she became committed to peace, believing that people needed to talk to resolve issues. At Oberlin College in Ohio she found Quakerism, and began her active life as a Friend, when she joined Medford Monthly Meeting. This was perhaps the most profound decision of her life, leading to her marriage in 1946 to Davis Forsythe, a Quaker diary farmer in Southern New Jersey. During her life on the farm she raised four daughters, managed a large farm household and hosted over 50 international visitors, believing that if we couldn't travel, we could bring the world to us. She extended those friendships by returning those visits in later years. Professionally, Hattie was a first-grade schoolteacher. Her careful loving focus on each student made her a great teacher. She brought thoughtfulness and cooperation to her classroom. During her life she was always active in many organizations such as YWCA, 4-H, Fortnightly, Putney Family Services mentoring program, reading in Putney Central School, Putney Cares, Putney Co-op Board, and the Reparative Justice Board. She combined this with active interest in responding to needs of others with acts of listening and love. After Dave's death, Hattie married John Reeves in 1979. She loved John and his family as her own, and until her death was very interested in all his children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children. Hattie moved to Vermont with John in 1987 to live near some of her daughters. She began her life here by joining Putney Friends Meeting. But she always held a wide view of spiritual fellowship and was involved in FGC, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Woolman Hill, New England Yearly Meeting, and Many Paths. Above all, Hattie, Amah, Mom loved her family, all of whom will miss her; her brother, Charles Camp (Carole Camp); her daughers, Julie Forsythe (Tom Hoskins), Carol Forsythe (Bruce Coggeshall), Ellen Forsythe(Alan Blood), Molly Forsythe (Bill Cameron) and grandchildren, Eleanor Cartelli, Davis Forsythe (Lauren Forsythe), Rob Cartelli (Quinn Cartelli), Noah Hoskins-Forsythe (Helen O'Donnell), Sadie Forsythe (Chris Pifer), Emily Cameron, Martin Blood-Forsythe, Keith Cameron, as well as extended family, Gail Haines, Guy Wood, Tim Haineswood, Joslyn Homberg and Isadora. MEMORIAL NOTICE: a memorial service will be held on Jan. 1, 2011, at 2 p.m. in Putney, VT. Memorial gifts may be made to Amercan Friends Service Committee (AFSC), 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 or http://ASFC.org/gifts.