Harriet Gaston

Age 95, of Kalamazoo died April 24, 2019, in hospice care at her home with family by her side. She was born October 28, 1923, in Riverside, IL, eldest daughter of Keith and Harriet (Guthrie) Evans. Harriet attended Denison University then worked a year at radio station WHIS in Bluefield, WV. She returned to earn her BA in Speech at Northwestern University where she met Otis T. (Tony) Gaston. They were married December 23, 1946. Harriet was a wonderful homemaker and mother with a wide range of interests from golf to bowling, graphoanalysis, psychology, dancing, and more. She was a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir and was an active volunteer. Harriet was known for her strength of character, curiosity and love of learning. Since moving to Heritage Community at Wyndham, she was a favorite of exercise and activity directors as she lived out her philosophy "to be as active as I can, mentally, physically, and socially." She played bridge only a week before her death. Harriet was predeceased by her husband, Tony, sisters Eleanor Quackenbush and Barbara Boucher. She is survived by sister Katharine Coobs, daughters Jane (Mark) Zussman, Laurel (Gary) Pincus, grandchildren Nathan (Katrina) Shipley, Emily (Chad) Stevens, Teddy (Courtney) Shipley, Ryan (Calynn) Flynn, Scott Flynn and Ashley Pincus, plus eight great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1515 Helen Ave., Portage, MI, 49002, at 1pm Saturday, May 11. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society, Southern Care Hospice, or Westminster Presbyterian Church. Please visit Harriet's webpage for directions, online guestbook or to leave a condolence. http://www.langelands.com