Harriet McCartney Duke

Harriet McCartney Duke, who loved art, the French language, and any kind of soft ice cream cone, passed away May 23. She was 89. 

 Harriet was born Harriet Ann Richey on April 24, 1935, in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of Robert and Margaret Richey. She grew up in Longmeadow, Mass., attended McDuffie School for Girls and then her beloved Wellesley College, where she graduated in 1957. She married Dr. Alan J. McCartney in 1958 and, after they lived in both Boston and Fort Knox, Ky., she took her family back to Wellesley, living there for nearly 40 years. 

 Harriet taught French in Norwood, Mass., for seven years and then taught 1st grade at the innovative and spectacularly successful French immersion program in the Milton, Mass., public schools. Teaching math, reading, and other lessons and skills all in French over 14 years was a challenge and her students loved Madame McCartney dearly. 

 Harriet retired in 2001 and moved to Aiken, S.C., with her second husband, Bruce Duke, building her dream house at Cedar Creek on a golf course. She always had a Miniature Schnauzer at her side, rarely missed a birthday celebration with friends, never missed a sale at Talbots or Chico’s, and loved a good meal out. 

 She is survived by her daughter Meredith McCartney Smith and sons Jeff McCartney (Becky) and Scott McCartney (OriAnn); her grandchildren Abby, Jen (Jay), M, Wesley, Emily, and her cherished friend and caregiver Penny Pinney. She was preceded in death by her parents, both ex-husbands, and her daughter-in-law Karen Blumenthal. 

 A service celebrating her life will be held June 20 at 11 a.m. at Shellhouse – Rivers Funeral Home in Aiken.  The family will receive friends an hour before the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Wellesley College and its Class of 1957 Green Fund, or the Aiken SPCA. 

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC