Harriet Deison
Harriet Jane Schoellkopf Deison died on Saturday, December 29, 2012.
Harriet was born in Dallas, Tex., to Mary Virginia Arnold Schoellkopf and Hugo (Buddy) William Schoellkopf, Jr. on February 6, 1947.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother, Hugo William Schoellkopf III.
She attended Highland Park High School and the University of Texas where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi.
She married the love of her life, Reverend Peter (Pete) Van Deison, on June 15, 1968. Together they shared 43 years of ministry, most recently serving at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, and formerly at the First Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga.
She partnered with him in every way. Harriet often said, "When you look into the face of a flower, you see the love of our Creator, God." She saw flowers as a way to exalt God. In keeping with her love for flowers, among her many achievements she was a Master Gardener, Garden Club of America Judge, and National Garden Club Life Judge.
Harriet was a member of Junior League of Dallas, Founder's Garden Club of Dallas, Designers and Diggers Garden Club, Dallas Garden Club, and Dallas Womans Club.
Passion characterized Harriet's life. She was passionate about her faith, family, friends, and flowers. Through her many activities, she was always eager to share her Christian faith.
She was beloved by countless people who grieve the loss of her presence here with them, even as they anticipate a grand reunion with her in Heaven. She led, taught, inspired, mentored, encouraged, prayed, loved, and cared deeply for her family, church, and large circle of friends.
Harriet's gift of compassion and empathy caused her to feel deeply for others in pain. She struggled with her own pains and was able to use what she learned to comfort others.
The words that describe her perfectly are found in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation: if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same suffering we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort."
Harriet, "Mumsie," delighted in creating lasting, joy-filled memories for her grandchildren. In addition, she enjoyed fly fishing, travel, good books, games, and entertaining with grace and warm hospitality.
She is survived by her devoted husband; her daughters, Mary Virginia (Ginny) Deison Huntress, husband Peter W. Huntress, and children: Cecelia Elizabeth, Lydia Florice, Anna Leigh Huntress, and William Carroll of Pittsburgh, Pa.; and Helen Ann (Ann) Deison Drexler, husband, David M. Drexler, and children: Storm Issac, Donovan Loch, Marnix Gale, and Bowie Felix of Atlanta.
Her sister-in-law, Gail Obenchain Schoellkopf and nephews, Hugo William (Will) Schoellkopf, IV and wife Sarah and Justin Arnold Schoellkopf also survive her.
A celebration of Harriet's life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 3, at 4 p.m. at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, Tx. 75219.
Contributions would be welcome in her memory to The Dallas Arboretum (Deison Memorial Fund), 8617 Garland Rd. Dallas, Tx. 75218.