Harriet Zukas

September 10, 1924 - July 17, 2018

 Harriet passed away peacefully on July 17, 2018 in Montecito, CA, just shy of her 94th birthday. Her husband of 49 years, Albert Zukas, predeceased her 7 months earlier. She was born in West Los Angeles, CA to Clive Preston (C.P.) Thurtle and Gladys Finch. Harriet was effortlessly and impossibly chic and as such was appropriately the West Coast Fashion Editor of Town and Country magazine in the 1960's. She also worked for the Academy Award wining Hollywood costume designer, Jean-Louis, who was most famous for the dress Marilyn Monroe wore when singing Happy Birthday Mr. President. Harriet was a model herself working for Emilio Pucci in Italy. She was a member of Los Angeles' Assistance League, regularly performing in the Nine O'Clock Players stage productions of classic children's literature in the 1950's. Harriet traveled extensively, spoke French fluently, and had a great command of the Spanish language having lived in Mexico for a time. To say she was artistic and talented would be an understatement. She tackled sewing bespoke couture-like clothing and knitted elaborate and stunning sweaters. Her gardening esthetic was well known and emulated by her many admirers. She was a needlepoint master extraordinaire and she created fabulous and interesting paintings using mixed media before it was widely done. A natural entertainer and superb cook she threw parties often, both large and small, bringing together her eclectic group of friends. She wrote and co-wrote two cookbooks, one being for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as a fundraiser, pairing food and wine by presenting entire meals. One might take the pairing practice for granted now, but it was virtually unheard of when the book was written. Harriet was a long time member and past president of the non-profit charity the Colleagues which benefits children and their parents who have been abused or exposed to violence through the Children's Institute, Inc. Harriet lived a long and incredibly interesting life, she was fiercely independent, had a great sense of humor, sharp wit, and astute mind up until her last day. She will be widely missed. Her niece wants to thank her compassionate and attentive doctor, her French teacher, Hospice of Santa Barbara and to her extraordinary caregivers and nurses at Casa Dorinda, we are eternally grateful.