HARRIET FOLLMAN

Harriet Hanson Follman
Harriet Hanson Follman, lifelong resident of Skagit Valley, died at home surrounded by family on October 7, 2007 due to complications from melanoma lung cancer.

Harriet, born August 2, 1926, at the Burlington Hospital was the only child of Albin Hanson and Vivi Tivander Hanson, both immigrants from Sweden. She grew up in Mt Vernon, WA where her father owned Hanson Brothers Oldsmobile Dealership. Favorite childhood memories were of family boating trips on her father’s yacht and traveling with her parents to Ragunda, Sweden, to visit her grandparents.

After graduating from Mt Vernon High School, Harriet attended Washington State University in Pullman, WA. Following her father’s unexpected death, she transferred to the University of Washington in Seattle, WA to be closer to her mother and joined the Sigma Kappa sorority. Harriet’s mother married Judge Willard Brickey and she gained a sister, Winnie, who later married Charles Doupe’ of Ilwaco, WA.

Harriet married Harry Follman, who was also a native of Skagit Valley and alumni of Mt Vernon High School. She quit college while he attended law school. They moved to Mt. Vernon where he practiced law and they raised three sons, John, Jay and Jim. The family enjoyed boating trips, skiing and the good times of living in Mt Vernon, when it still was a small town. They were members of 1st United Methodist Church.

Following her divorce from Judge Harry Follman, Harriet worked in several capacities including Skagit Valley Mall Manager, Everett Mall Manager and assisted the social services director for the Swinomish Tribe. During this time Harriet decided she needed to change and started attending AA. She married Oz Perry in 1982 and moved to his home in Rancho Mirage, CA where she met and was inspired by the work of Betty Ford. When this marriage ended, she moved to Seattle, WA, where she attended and graduated with a BA from Seattle University.

In 1987 she realized her dream and opened her own business under the name of the Follman Agency. She started out with a 1-room office where she worked alone helping people with substance abuse problems. She became a Chemical Dependency Professional, National Certified Addiction Counselor II and Master Addiction Counselor-Certified Criminal Justice Specialist.

Over the years, the Follman Agency grew to its present level of offering mental health counseling, EAP counseling, anger management, couples counseling and help for problem gambling. Harriet felt fortunate having her family work with her. Her son, Jim, and daughter-in-law, Sharil, are both licensed counselors on the staff and her son, Jay, was on the board of directors.

In 2003 Harriet moved her agency to its present location in Burlington, WA. She devoted herself to “bringing the light” to others, showing up at work right up until the point where she was too ill. She had 28 years of sobriety and never grew tired of trying to help others. She was known for never giving up on anyone and as one person put it, “She always gave everyone a 2nd chance”.

Harriet was known for her boundless energy and enthusiasm for life. She was a life-long Husky and Seahawk fan and rarely missed attending a game. She played golf and belonged to the Skagit Golf & Country Club, where she lived with her beloved Portugese Water dog, Leo. She also traveled frequently with family and friends.

But Harriet found her greatest happiness in being a mother and grandmother. During her final days she enjoyed eating breakfast with Jim, taking Leo to the Anacortes dog park with John and riding around Skagit County in Jay’s truck reminiscing about all the people, places, and times that meant so much to her. The family will always love and remember Harriet for her exuberant spirit, generosity, perseverance, sense of humor and constant love.

Harriet is survived by her sons, John Follman of Mt Vernon, Wa., Jay Follman of Clear Lake, WA and his wife Sharil and children, Erika and Jack, and Jim Follman of Clear Lake, WA and his wife Kathy, who has two children, Amanda and Nick. Harriet is also survived by her many Swedish relatives and the members of the Doupe’ family.

The Follman Family extends a special thanks to A Better Solution Care Services for their loving care (thank-you Sandy I, Sandy Y, and Linda). Also thanks to Dr. Teak Martin, Dr. Robert Raish, Dr. Mark Johnson for their excellent medical care and a special thanks to Bob Johnson for his loyalty and support.

Donations made be made to Hawthorne Funeral Home and Memorial Park, PO Box 398, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, which will go to the Harriet Follman Scholarship Fund to help people in special need.

Viewing will be held Friday, October 12, 2007, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm at Hawthorne Funeral Home and Saturday, October 13, 2007, 12:00 pm until the funeral, 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon, with a reception to follow at the church.

Please share your thoughts of Harriet and sign the online guest register at www.hawthornefh.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, 1825 E College Way, Mount Vernon.