Harriett Saunders

Harriett Henry Saunders passed from her failing body into Paradise on May 6, 2025. Harriett was born on Aug. 24, 1936, to William Joseph Henry and Erma May Pickett Henry in Duval County, Fla. Harriett is survived by her children, Allen and Laurie Saunders, Katie and Peter Haeussler, and Bill and Gayle Saunders; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and a wonderful extended family.
Harriett spent her childhood in Coral Gables, Fla. Many of her holidays were spent in north Florida visiting relatives and staying on the Pickett homestead. She often told of hand-feeding her grandmother's chickens scuppernong grapes. Thus began a lifelong love of animals. Her high school years were dominated by her involvement in teaching horseback riding and showing horses. While attending the University of Florida, where she majored in animal husbandry and journalism, she met the earthly love of her life, Edward Shipp Saunders. Ed and Harriett shared a life of incredible adventure over 63 years. They formed a strong team, filling in each other's gaps, sharpening each other as iron sharpens iron. Their household was full of lively discussion and many friends and visitors, and always an incredible feast for more people than were present.
Harriett never met a stranger. She spent her life in generosity of spirit, giving grace, love, and money to everyone she met. Her adventuresome spirit took her, and whoever was in her care, camping (sometimes in storms and places beyond the normal scope), hiking, river tubing, foraging for wild foods, shell gathering, baking, gardening, and many other activities. Her motto of "Say yes unless forced to say no for safety" was delightful. She took this sense of discovery to all of the 12 homes she and Ed shared. Ed would tease that he could come home from work at any time and only needed to mention moving, and then she would start to pack. Yet wherever Harriett and Ed landed, their home was dedicated to gatherings. She invited all into her heart and home, ever being open to love and nurture. Harriett saw no differences in peoples, all being equal. Her Christian faith was the tuning fork to her every day and decision. Her grace and love were as constant as that faith. Harriett Jo earned her rest on May 6, 2025, and entered into glorious peace with many old and new friends to meet. God rest your soul, our Mother and Friend.