Harriet Kemp

August 21, 1932 – March 4, 2019

I have known many people in my 68 years, but there are those few who leave an indelible mark on your life. Harriet was one of those.
When I was younger, I was impressed with people of money and success as I thought that was what was important. In the past years, I have begun to recognize that real success is not found in money alone or professional accomplishments but is really found in people who sacrificed their own needs to love and serve others. This is especially true when their life was marked with monumental hurt and rejection and many obstacles that would have prevented many others from even functioning in life.

My friend determinedly worked and raised a family in spite of more heartache than I can imagine. She loved her family with an ardor that is rare. It didn’t matter what struggles and failings they might experience, she was their unflinching support and defense. There was nothing that was a higher priority than her family.

This was a woman of incredible inner strength that was forged by the fire of necessity and respect for God. She knew who she was and also knew who she wasn’t and made peace with it a long time ago. She was able to take limited resources and make more from them than those with far greater opportunity. I have witnessed a few of the seismic moments in her life and watched that inner strength take her through. I remember clearly when her boyfriend died in front of me at work and I had to call her daughter Ruth to tell her. I smile when I hear women joke about “pulling up your big girl pants”.  I don’t think Harriet ever knew a time that she was able to not “have her big girl pants” on; her life required it. I think we all knew this year when her youngest son died suddenly that it might be the final blow, and it was. It was the final heartbreak of a lifetime of them. Harriet died of a broken heart. I think that God knew it was enough and took her home.

One of the things I so appreciate is that she instilled in her daughter and granddaughter much of the strength, wisdom, and determination that she possessed as a woman. They will carry on her legacy valiantly, I have no doubt. I find it very interesting that the people who make the greatest mark on others have no idea what they have accomplished. Harriet, my dear friend, rest in peace.

John Osborne

Harriet Kemp was born and raised in Hampton and remained in the area her entire life. Her family is as big as her heart, and we extend condolences to them all, particularly to our neighbors, her daughter and son-in-law Ruth and Dave Halbach, her grand-daughter Helen Merasco, and her great-grandsons, Taylor and Thomas Merasco.