Harriett Fae Edmunds

Biography Harriett Edmunds, 90, a longtime resident of Fullerton CA, and most recently Mission Viejo died peacefully on June 5, after a short illness. Preceded in death by her husband James Edmunds in 2001, son Gary Edmunds in 2009, and sister, Charlotte in 2013. Harriett Fae Edmunds was born December 9, 1923 in Saint Charles, Iowa, the second child of Jesse and Mary Crawford and loving sister of Charlotte Scheid. Harriett resided on the third generation family farm attending local schools and after high school a business school in Des Moines, Iowa. At age 20 along with her sister Charlotte they boarded a troop train with American soldiers to Southern California to live with an aunt and uncle in Los Angeles. Both girls loved Big Bands and dancing and soon found themselves at the Hollywood Palladium where Harriett met her husband, James in 1941. James, a merchant marine was in port for just a few days before shipping out. They maintained a long distance relationship until their marriage on Wednesday, April, 24th, 1945 at Forest Lawn in Glendale. Harriett worked various jobs including Bank of America, while James pursued his electrical career until the birth of son Gary in 1950 and daughter Donna in 1953. Harriett and James then moved from Los Angeles to Fullerton where daughter Darcie was born in 1955. Harriett embraced the role of housewife, becoming PTA mom, and scout leader for several years. In 1968 Harriett went back to work full time as school secretary for the Head Start program at Maple School in Fullerton. This was a job that Harriett loved until her retirement 20 years later in 1986. Till her death she was still in contact with her friends from Maple School. Harrietts passion was traveling, reading, chocolate (See’s Candy was her favorite) and the beach. Upon retirement James and Harriett traveled the globe together including Europe several times, the Orient, Australia, Russia, and all of the US. Upon her return from any trip she would still say that nowhere in the world was more beautiful than Laguna Beach, her favorite beach to go to. When not traveling Harriett would be found with her sister and constant companion, Charlotte, especially after the death of James in 2001. It would be hard to find two siblings as close as these two, and we are not surprised that Harriett’s passing is just 7 months after Charlotte’s. Harriett is survived by daughters Donna Brown and Darcie Gettings Gorman and spouse, 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. Services will be held at Memory Garden Memorial Park and Mortuary in Brea on June 11, 2014. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Glenwood Foundation, 2130 South Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, (949) 715-4863.

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Harriett Fae Edmunds

December 9, 1923 - June 5, 2014