Harriett Peelle Terrell

Harriett Peelle Terrell passed away peacefully at Cape May on June 8, 2017 after almost 93 years.  She was preceded in death by her husband, James Terrell, her parents Walter and May (Thompson) Peelle, and brother Hubert Peelle.

Harriett was born on July 12, 1924 at Old Friends Academy in Martinsville, OH.  When she was six and living in Sioux City, IA, her father died of a burst appendix, leaving the family without a breadwinner at the onset of the Great Depression.  They returned to OH to be near her grandparents, and—like so many—scraped by through grit and hard work.

At the onset of WWII, Harriett got a job in the secretarial pool at Patterson Field in Dayton, OH.  With the War, the demand for nurses had increased dramatically and so Harriett entered the Miami Valley School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse and President of the largest class of nurses they had ever seen.

On June 1, 1947, she married James Terrell at Martinsville Friends and moved to his family farm near New Vienna.  Taking her husband’s last name, she was then proud to point out that her first, middle, and last name each contained 2 sets of double consonants.   Harriett became a devoted mother of four children, maintained a large garden and lovely home, and was a strong contributor to the success of the farm.

After her children had grown, Harriett returned to her loved vocation as an R.N. working with Dr. Bill Terrell in New Vienna and Hillsboro, and with the Camp Clifton 4-H Camps.  She went on to work several years at Clinton Memorial Hospital, where she was affectionately nicknamed “The General” for her high standards and definite opinions.

Harriett participated in the community as a member of Martinsville Friends, Fairview Friends Meeting, the Conversation Club, Canasta Club, the Woman’s Club of New Vienna, Martinsville Book Club, Miami Valley Nursing Association and the United Society of Friends Women International, and as a volunteer for Planned Parenthood.  She was extremely pleased to have participated in the Harvard Medical School’s longitudinal Women’s Health Study for decades, helping researchers better understand the impact of aging on female health.

Harriett was an avid reader with many interests that she loved to share with others with the goal of encouraging their skill development and “broadening their horizons”.  She was known for her stunning table and holiday decorations.  Her passionate knowledge of Clinton County and family genealogy was legend.  

Harriett’s beautiful soprano voice performed for five weddings.  After each of the couples subsequently divorced, she declined to perform at weddings in hopes that future marriages would survive.

Everyone will miss Harriet’s bright red lipstick, lively brain, and snappy conversation.  “Finish what you start”, she always said, and she always did…in a superb manner.  Her life is a tremendous model for us.  Well played, Harriett. 

She is survived by four children: Jon (MaryBeth) Terrell of Powhatan, VA; Brian (Carol) Terrell of Columbus, OH; Susan (Tim) Simmons of Greensboro, NC; and Sam (Tina) Terrell of New Vienna, OH; eight grandchildren Jonathan (Ira) Terrell, Danielle (Adam) Terrell, Adam (Leslie) Terrell, Emily (Seth) Marks, Brent (Erica) Terrell, Megan (Ryan) Pennell, Bridgette (Milfred) Abraham, Andrew Terrell and eleven great-grandchildren.

Reflecting her lifelong passion for reading and learning, donations in her memory can be made to the New Vienna Library, 114 W. Main St., New Vienna, OH 45159.

A service to celebrate Harriett’s life will be held at Littleton Funeral Home, 104 N. Jackson St., Sabina, OH 45169 on Saturday, July 22nd, 2017.  The family invites the public to visiting hours at 1 p.m., followed by a service at 2 p.m., and burial at the Sabina Cemetery. 

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