Harriet Hagadone

Hagadone (Gerlofs), Harriet

6/8/1930 - 9/16/2023

Harriet, age 93, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 16 at her residence in Assisted Living. She was born on June 8, 1930 to Alice and John Gerlofs in Kalamazoo. She attended Kalamazoo Public schools and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1948. She married Donald G. Hagadone on December 23, 1950 and she joined him as he traveled to various bases during his tenure with the United States Air Force. They settled back in Kalamazoo when her husband began his career as an aeronautical design engineer and she as a teacher with Kalamazoo School System. They adopted their twins at Christmas in 1959 and she transitioned into a busy Mom. She was an active member of PTA, 4-H, Neighborhood Sewing Group, and as a Librarian. She joined the West Hills Athletic Club and traveled with the Women's Tennis League for years. She was an avid golfer at Battle Creek Country Club and at Gull Lake Country Club where she won many titles. She and Don traveled extensively around the world and followed many Big Bands as they toured so they could enjoy dancing together. When they moved to their 200 acre hobby farm in Climax, they enjoyed their Christmas Tree Farm and the annual ritual of welcoming families with hot chocolate and cookies as they cut their own trees. She hosted many Wild Game Dinners at their home and she loved her gardens, reading and long walks with her dogs on their cross-country ski trails. After her husband of 60 years passed, she found her "family" of friends at the Fountains at Bronson Place. She met her bestie, Joy Ansel and the shenanigans they shared were priceless to her, additionally she had two companions – Sarah Grider and Nancy Pendziszewski who made her life beautiful in every way they could through their friendship and generosity. Lately her favorite activity was armchair volleyball with the other residents where she earned the title the "Hammer" during their warm up to a competitive tournament with WMU's women's Volleyball team.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010, her parents, and all five of her siblings. She is survived by her children, son Harold Hagadone and wife Mardelle of Blairsville, GA and daughter Jeanne' Gates-Nowak and husband Greg of Kalamazoo. Additionally she adored her grandson and his family, Chris and Jen Gates of East Grand Rapids, and her cherished great grandchildren, Charlie, Hank and Emma. Also surviving is her brother in law, Jud Hagadone and his significant partner Barb Love. A private committal service will be held this fall for family members, and should any friends wish to make a memorial donation, please do so to your favorite charity or to the Humane Society which she so loved to support.

Published by Kalamazoo Gazette from Sep. 19 to Sep. 24, 2023.