Obituary of Anne Harriman

Anne Rowe Harriman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on January 24, 2024 at the age of 96. Her loving warmth extended to all who met her, and she will be greatly missed.

Anne was born in River Glade, New Brunswick, Canada on March 9, 1927. Her given name was Frances Ann Rowe but after reading Anne of Green Gables as a child, she changed her name to Anne with an e. She moved to the U.S. as a baby and lived in Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Her favorite childhood memories were spending summers in Vermont with her Aunt Jenny and Uncle Russ.

Anne graduated from St. Xavier Academy in Providence, RI with honors in 1944 at 17 years old. Upon graduation, she entered the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Although she loved every day, before the year was up, she realized that it was not her calling. She left the convent and a few years later met the love of her life, Ernest Harriman. They were married January 10, 1948, at The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, RI.

Anne worked for 10 years at Travelers Insurance, but realized her greatest calling was being a mother – and later, a grandmother and great-grandmother – to her growing family. Everyone who met her was warmed by her presence as she had a unique gift of connecting with others and remembering personal details. For these reasons, her huge extended family adored her because she never forgot a birthday, a career or anything important. Her nine children recognized her sacrifice in the mounds of laundry, ironing, cleaning and meals that she did selflessly throughout their childhood while making them feel loved and nurtured. She encouraged college enrollment, savings accounts and library cards to enable her children to reach their own potential.

In her younger years, Anne traveled extensively with her husband throughout Europe, the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean and the U.S. She was an avid reader, a devout Catholic, rarely missed a show of Jeopardy and loved to go on long walks. She enjoyed following politics and was a strong believer in social justice. In the late 60’s, despite her houseful of children, she campaigned door to door for the Fair Housing Act of Rhode Island.

Anne was married for 70 years until her husband’s passing in 2018. Her last years were spent at The Hearth in Glastonbury and The Residence at South Windsor Farms where she was adored by the residents and staff.

Anne was a true matriarch, and her pride and joy was her huge family who all loved her deeply. She relished family reunions and every member of her family enjoyed her company from the littlest ones climbing on her lap to the oldest engaging her in the latest family or national news.

Anne leaves behind 7 children: Joy Harriman, Kathleen Harriman, Susan Harriman, Lori Sylvester (Brad), Bill Harriman, Anne Geller (David), and Jill Shea (Patrick). She was sadly predeceased by her eldest daughter Janis Klurfeld (Scott), her eldest son Ernest “Corky” Harriman and her sister June Reilly.

Anne is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Marc Doyle (Lucy Oblonsky), Adam Doyle, Mollie Williams (Bill), Zachary Klurfeld (Zakieh), Brendan Mahady, Kelly Desrosiers (Mike), Natalie Wittenbrook, Emily Murphy (Adam), Julie Schmidt (Jeff), Meredith Harris, Joy Seiter (Aaron), Kyle Harriman, Alexa Geller, Haley Geller, Lauren Shea, and Rachel Shea. Additionally, there are 16 great grandchildren: Jason and Alenka Doyle, Wesley, Luke, Annie and Scottie Williams, Bowie Klurfeld, Charlie, Owen and Finn Desrosiers, Liam and Cole Murphy, Nai and Mack Schmidt, and Shay and Kai Harris.

A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Dunstan Church, 1345 Manchester Road, Glastonbury at 10:00 am on January 29, 2024 followed by a burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17 Wickham Rd., Glastonbury. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be sent to a charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit www.mulryanfh.com.