Northfield Obituary: Harriet Damisch

The following obituary was supplied by the Damisch family:

Harriet D. Damisch of Northfield, IL. Beloved wife of John W. Damisch, passed while on vacation in North Carolina on June 15, 2014.

Harriet was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She was raised in Kenilworth, graduated from Joseph Sears Grade School and was ranked fourth in her graduating class from New Trier High School.

Harriet received her B.S. degree, with high distinction from the University of Arizona. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa honor society in her Junior Year. She continued her education at Northwestern University where she received a Masters Degree in Mathematics. She was a member of Mensa.

Harriet joined Kappa Alpha Theta (Theta) sorority at the University of Arizona. She had a lifelong relationship with Theta which included Trustee and Secretary of the Theta Foundation; Convention Assistant and then Manager of Theta's national conventions for 18 years; Chair of Theta's Election Board and active in the local Theta Alumni Chapter.

Harriet was active in local, state and national politics. She was Northfield Township's Republican Committee Woman; managed a successful congressional campaign; served on a congressional recount team; was active in statewide successful campaigns including: State Treasurer, Attorney General and Gubernatorial offices. She was active in local campaigns for Cook County and Northfield Township candidates.

Harriet was an industrial consultant to middle management of nationwide companies until she married her husband, John, and started to raise a family in Northfield in 1953. She managed family farms that grew to 11 in number. She also managed the family investments and a law firm pension fund.

Harriet traveled extensively to foreign lands including a trip around the world which included a "do it yourself" train trip from Bejing, China to Irkutsk, Siberia.

Harriet and her husband John, were married for 62 years.

In addition to John, she is survived by two sons, Peter, his wife, Lesley, Mark and his wife Patricia and their three daughters, Kristina, Katherine and Alexandra (the latter also a Theta). She was preceded in death by her parents John W. and Alberta Darley, and her brother, John W. Darley, Jr.

Burial was in the Damisch/Darley family plot at the Memorial Presbyterian Church, ("The Old Church") established in 1841 in rural Kane County west of Elgin.

Memorial services will be held at the Kenilworth Union Church, 211 Kenilworth Avenue, Kenilworth, Il. on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations be made in Harriet's name to Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, 8740 Founders Road, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46268 or North Shore Senior Center, 161 Happ Road, Northfield, IL 60093 would be appreciated.