Harriet Harris Sibley Gustafson

Harriet Harris Sibley Gustafson, 70 of Marietta died Tuesday, August 17, 2010. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at First United Methodist Church in Marietta with Rev. Dr. Sam Matthews and Rev. Dr. Charles A. Sineath officiating. Burial will be at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Mrs. Gustafson was born on July 4, 1940 in Lyons, NY to Lewis S. & Hattie Branch Sibley. She attended schools in Lyons and graduated from Clearwater High School in Clearwater, Florida. She graduated from Andrew (Junior) College in Cuthbert, Georgia and Florida State University. After marrying Jon Gustafson in Clearwater, Florida, she graduated with a MA degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. She moved to Marietta in 1967 to begin her career in teaching mathematics at Kennesaw Junior College. She retired from Kennesaw State University in 2000, having seen many changes on that campus. Harriet was involved in the Boy Scouts. She was first an assistant den leader, then Den Mother, Crafts Leader at Cub Day Camp, on the Troup Committee, Cobb County Commissioner, and Dean of the PhD Program at Atlanta Area Commissioner College. She and her husband took the boys on various camping trips with a pop-up camper, traveling across this county and Canada. Harriet was a member of First United Methodist Church of Marietta where she was active in the Chancel Choir and the J.O.Y. Sunday school class. She was president of the J.O.Y. Class for several years. Over the years, she formed a new circle in the United Methodist Women; she served on the Finance Committee, the Administrative Board, the Kindergarten Board, the Missions Committee and the Chapel Choir Board. After the sons left home, Harriet and Jon started square dancing and were active dancers since 1996. She and Jon attend several national Square Dance Conventions. They also liked to travel around the country in their motor home. After retirement, Harriet became interested in genealogy. She was a member of the Fielding Lewis Chapter of the D.A.R., the Nicholas Wallingford Chapter of the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, and the Georgia Chapter #17 of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots of American. She served as various officers in the above chapters. She became very interested in Heraldry and Coats of Arms, serving twice as State Chairman of same. She thus extended her research to “over the pond.” She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Jon Wilson Gustafson; two sons and their wives; Mark Edward Gustafson & Laura Lea of Raleigh, NC; Paul Alan Gustafson Jewell & Marie Kathleen of Louisville, KY; four grandsons, Luke Gustafson, Daniel Gustafson, Christopher Jewell and Michael Jewell; one brother, Lewis Branch Sibley & Judy Sibley of Coatesville, PA; one brother-in-law, David Gustafson & Margaret Gustafson of Ballground, GA; one sister-in-law, Mary Gustafson McConathy & Rev. Robin McConathy of Salida, CO; cousins, nieces & nephews. Harriet was predeceased by her parents, Lewis S. and Hattie Branch Sibley. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the, Beth Berman memorial Fund, 56 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta. www.mayeswarddobbins.com