Harriet Virginia Largent

WORKED AS A SECRETARY, BUT WAS A BREEDER OF GUERNSEY CATTLE AND QUARTERHORSES. FARMED GRAPES, ALMONDS

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HARRIET UPDIKE LARGENT MAR 8, 1911 ~ JAN 12, 2009 How do we sum up nearly 98 years of a fully lived life in a few paragraphs? With sadness in our hearts, but joy in our memories, we say good-bye to Harriet Updike Largent. Harriet was born in her family home near Keyes, California, on March 8, 1911. She kept her home on a parcel of that same family land, land originally settled by her family in 1849. Harriet and her husband, Don, were a productive part of the farm community, running a dairy, raising crops, and raising their two daughters. Harriet and Don enjoyed racing Quarter Horses in the latter half of their life together, along with traveling the country and many parts of the world. After Don's passing, Harriet continued her active lifestyle with racing horses, driving all over the state, visiting friends, and keeping her driver's license until the age of 94. Besides running a ranch and being a mom, Harriet held several jobs, including a dental assistant, the cannery, and a secretary for the county for well over a decade. She was a member/officer in many groups, including Grange, PTA, Native Daughters of the American Revolution, AQHA, Modesto Rangers, Turlock Horsemen, and working the polls into her late 80s. She was truly a participant in life! Friendships sustained Harriet, and vice versa. She opened her house to visitors throughout her life, whether it was hosting people in need during the Great Depression, boarding an adventurer who was taking a break from her coast to coast horseback trip, or housing exchange students from Poland. Through her last days friends old and new were filing in and out of her home to share stories and laughter. Harriet passed on Monday, January 12, 2009, in the company of loved ones. She is survived by her two daughters, Donna Binkley of Turlock and Dolores McFrederick & husband, Ben, of WA. She is also survived by grandchildren Delane Bass & husband, John, of Denair, Tia Dias & husband, Chris, of Turlock, Quinn McFrederick & wife, Esther, of VA, along with great-grandson Greg Morgan & wife, Terry, of VA, great-granddaughter Cindy Rael & husband, Jerry, of Apple Valley, and finally by great-great-grandchildren Julia, AJ, & Gracie Morgan, and Mitchel & Lauren Rael. An era has gone with Harriet's passing, we will miss her dearly, and we will relish retelling her stories for many years. The family is eternally grateful for the years of compassionate care and friendship provided her by the staff of Bethel Retirement Community in Modesto, and to the focused care of Community Hospice given her in recent months. A service will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson, CA, on Friday, January 16, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. It is requested that in lieu of flowers memorial donations be made to: Community Hospice Inc., 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356-9259. Thank you. A reception will follow the services at the home of John and DeLane Bass, 2524 Lester Rd., Denair, CA 95316.www.modbee.com/obituaries