1927 - 2026
Born in 1927, Harriet was the daughter of the late Howard and Irene Barnett. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Clarence “Van” Van Dyke; her sons, Donald and Howard; and her brother, Spencer Barnett.
A lifelong resident of Sutton, Harriet spent her entire life on Barnett Road, where she developed a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for family and community. As a young girl, she loved helping her father on the family farm.
Throughout her life, Harriet worked at the former Whitins Machine Works and later as a waitress at the Blue Eagle Inn and The Blue Jay Lobster Pond for 19 years. In her later years, she became a familiar and beloved volunteer at the Sutton Senior Center, where she greeted everyone with a smile, humor, and her trademark sass. She also volunteered with the 60Plus monthly newsletter.
Harriet was known for her boundless energy and independent spirit. She and her husband enjoyed driving the backroads together, always on the lookout for returnable cans, which they famously collected to help fund their grandson’s college education. She loved clipping coupons, hunting for bargains at yard sales, and visiting favorite local spots like the Beef Barn in Woonsocket.
One of Harriet’s happiest places was the family summer camp on the Douglas Reservoir, where she hosted Van Dyke and Jackson family reunions and created treasured memories for generations of loved ones.
She is survived by her grandson, Michael Brown of Englewood, Florida; her great-grandson, Logan Mussone-Brown of Rotunda, Florida; her nephews Richard Van Dyke and his wife Joanne, David Van Dyke and his wife Jackie, Arthur Jackson and his wife Anne, and Francis Jackson and his wife Kathy; her nieces Helen Saucier, Alice Cook, and Harriet Graves; along with many close friends and extended family members.
Harriet will be remembered for her spirited personality, determination, humor, and the way she lived life fully and unapologetically right to the very end.
