Harriet Frances Ancona
2/28/1928 - 3/5/2019
Harriet Wilcoxen Ancona was peacefully promoted to Glory, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, March 5th, 2019. She was born February 28, 1928, in Huntington, West Virginia to Max Wellman Wilcoxen and Lucille Hays and moved to Galveston, Texas as a child. She graduated from Galveston Ball High School, in 1944, then attended Texas State College for Women in Denton, Texas (Texas Woman's University) and completed her degree in Library Science and English in 1949. She had taken a semester off from school to recover from a leg injury and to help with her older sister's wedding, when she met a handsome young Naval officer at the First Presbyterian Church in Galveston on Palm Sunday, 1945.
Harriet and A. Cooper Ancona (the handsome young Naval officer) were married September 9th, 1949 and settled in Freeport, then Lake Jackson where Cooper took a position as a research chemist at Dow Chemical. Harriet stayed home to raise 3 young children, then began her career as a librarian with Brazosport High School in the Brazosport ISD. She was passionate about the library and the theater and drama department at BHS, as well as the local theater at the Center for the Arts and Sciences. She designed costumes and sets for many local plays and musicals. As a result, she became quite an accomplished seamstress. Her house was filled with material, costumes, and all manner of costume accessories. All had labeled boxes and containers so future plays and musicals and the actors and actresses would have the proper attire for the performances. It was not a secret that "Fiddler on the Roof" was her favorite musical, but in reality she had many favorites. As a result of this costume storage, Harriet's house barely had room for all of her books, and there were many. She was an avid reader, an amazing vocabulary, and quite accomplished at Scrabble and crossword puzzles.
She was a life long member of the Presbyterian Church and a 60 + year member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson. She held many different positions in the church and sang in the Chancel Choir for more than 50 years. For several years, through the church, Harriet organized and directed a sewing program for low income women in the community, teaching them how to sew. She also was an active member of the Emmaus Community serving on a number of walks as a team member. Harriet was active in Disciple Bible, Bible Fellowship, and in Literary Volunteers of America, teaching people new to our country and those who couldn't, learn how to read. She truly embodied the values and dedication of a good and faithful servant.
Harriet loved her family deeply and is survived by her husband of 69 years, A. Cooper Ancona, Jr. of Lake Jackson; dear sisters, Hays Nichols of Tacoma, Washington and Peggy Dowdey of Dallas, Texas; 3 children, Dr. Lee C. Ancona (Marsha) of Aledo, Texas, James H. Ancona of Lake Jackson, Margaret Ancona (Paul Buford) of Freeport; 5 grandchildren, Adrianne Walls, Allison Ancona Brubaker, Christopher Tadlock, Lauren Ancona Grant, and Molly Ancona Whitaker; 11 great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.
The family would like to recognize and thank Caring Senior Services of Brazoria County and IPH Hospice for their wonderful and gentle care for Harriet and the family.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in honor of Harriet W. Ancona to the Center for the Arts and Sciences of Brazosport or the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Lake Jackson.
A memorial service celebrating Harriet's life is scheduled for Saturday, April 6th, 2019 at 11:00 a. m. followed by a reception at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lake Jackson. The Reverend Dr. Alan Trafford will officiate the celebration.
Obituary Provided By:
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