Harriet Kenton Spilman
No matter how long we live, it is never enough time to spend with those we love. The Spilman family mourns the loss of Harriet Kenton Spilman whose life ended on February 19, 2023, at the age of 102.
Born on September 8, 1920 in Centreville, Maryland, she spent her youth in Maryland and in Washington, DC, graduating from Central High School in Washington. During WWII, she worked for the War Department in the District of Columbia and in 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Bruce Spilman, who served his country in the Navy during the war years. After graduating from Lehigh University with his degree in industrial engineering, Robert accepted a job with Ingersoll-Rand which brought them to the Phillipsburg/Easton area, where she lived for a good portion of her adult life. There, she was employed by the Easton YWCA as an administrative assistant for 5 years. Later, she became well-recognized in real estate sales working for the Paul Ford agency for several decades.
She spent her well-earned retirement in Cutchogue, NY, indulging in her greatest pleasures in the outdoors by “captaining” her motor boat, “Grammy’s Toy”, swimming, fishing, golfing, walking her dog, Ginger, and most especially, welcoming all of her family and friends for joyous vacations at the “Pink Palace”, her cottage in Cutchogue.
In addition to her devotion to raising three daughters, Harriet gave unselfishly of her time volunteering. She was a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer at Kirkland Village in Bethlehem while she was a resident, and a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church for 70 years serving as an elder, deacon, and Sunday School teacher in the service of God. When she retired to Cutchogue in 1990, she served as a trustee of the Presbyterian Church of Cutchogue.
Harriet will be remembered by her family as their beloved matriarch who taught life’s lessons by example. She treasured the wonders of nature, laughed at I Love Lucy, crafted the art of using a yo-yo, and appreciated the love and companionship of dogs. She was a connoisseur of chocolate and ice cream. She revered the privilege to vote, and at the age of 102 made certain she would receive absentee ballots. She leaves as her legacy many magnificent watercolor paintings that adorn her families’ homes. Harriet shared the necessity of having a sense of humor to succeed in life and the image of growing old with dignity and grace.
She is survived by her three daughters: Sue Pappas, Kay Falcinelli and husband, Dale, and Ann Minnich; grandchildren Rebecca Snyder, Zoe Meyer, Mary Berkenstock, Sarah Apgar, Jill Sabol, Katie Minnich, and Amy Stott, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. Harriet was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert in 1965, and her cherished son-in-laws, John D. Pappas and Rod Rodriquez.
The family will have a Calling Hour at 1:00pm on Saturday, March 18, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, 333 Spring Garden Street. A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will follow at 2:00 pm at the church. Interment will be private. In Harriet’s memory, gifts would lovingly be received by Third Street Alliance at thirdstreetalliance.org/donate (41 North 3rd St, Easton, PA 18042) or The Center for Animal Health and Welfare at healthyanimalcenter.org/donate (1165 Island Park Rd, Easton, PA 18042).
The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Country Meadows of Forks Township, as well as the aides at Senior Solutions and Visiting Angels for their loving care, compassion, and kindness which was shown to Harriet.