Pittsford, VT – Jean O (Giddings) Stevens Harvie Beatty, 93, formally of Pittsford VT passed away peacefully on January 17, 2023, at The Meadows at East Mountain in Rutland, VT, where she has resided for the past five years.
Jean was born July 30, 1929 and raised in Quincy, MA, the daughter of two native Vermonters, Clarence and Hilda (Sherman) Giddings. After graduating from Burdett College, in Boston, she married Bruce Stevens in 1949.
Jean married Fred A. Harvie in 1953 and together they raised their family in Hingham, MA. While in Hingham she worked as the business manager for Fred’s carpentry and building business. The family relocated to Pittsford Vermont in 1975 continuing their business while also acquiring and restoring numerous properties in and around Rutland County. They then literally downsized their building business, establishing Fred’s Dollhouse and Miniature Center; a venture that allowed them to work together with their daughter Linda, well into their retirement.
As a child, Jean spent summers on her grandfather’s idyllic Poultney VT farm, ‘Home Among the Hills’. She acquired extensive family archives from her father, aunts, and uncles becoming a professional genealogist. Both Jean and Fred were active members of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hingham and Trinity Episcopal and Messiah Lutheran Churches in Rutland.
Jean found great connection in volunteering for various organizations over the years: Camp Fire Girls in MA, the Pittsford Historical Society, helping with the republication of Caverly’s History of Pittsford, the publication of Pittsford Now and Then, along with many fundraising efforts ahead of the purchase and restoration of Eaton Hall into the Town’s Historical Museum. Jean also became one of four authors of Pittsford’s Second Century, while also being Treasurer of the Genealogical Society of Vermont, Maclure Library, and the Pittsford Historical Society. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Vermont Historical Society in Montpelier.
In 1981, Jean established Jean Harvie Real Estate in Pittsford, becoming active in the Rutland County Board of Realtors, becoming a Realtor of the Year. Jean then went on to serve as a Lister for the Town of Pittsford for 15 years. Following the passing of Fred, Jean relocated to South Burlington VT eventually marrying John W. Beatty.
Jean is survived by her daughters, Lethea (Stevens) (Harvie) Ware Pollard (Roy) of Rockland, MA and Linda Harvie Drummond (Bill) of Pittsford, VT, her son Mark Harvie (Sanita) of Colchester, VT. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren Michelle Ware (Mike) Harris, David Ware (fiancée Jennifer); Laura Drummond (James) Lang, Emily Drummond (Daric) Brown, Craig (Cara) Drummond; Colin Harvie, Brynn Harvie (Chris) Bennett, Shea Harvie, Tristan, and Maximilian Harvie; Curtis (Jordan) Harvie, Renee Harvie (LaShun) Carroll and 13 great-grandchildren Kyla Ware; Katelynne & Matthew Lang; Henry, Gunner, & Libby Brown; Eloisa & Liam Drummond; Beverly & James Bennett, Keani Harvie; Scout Harvie, and Adelaide Carroll. Jean also leaves an extended family, including daughter in-laws Janet Adams Harvie Sherer, Lauri Pratt Harvie Nicoletta, son-in-law Paul Ware, sister-in-law’s Ruth Giddings, Gail Giddings, and Lois Harvie; and brother-in-law John (Marilyn) Harvie. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jean was predeceased in death by her beloved husband of 52 years Fred Albert Harvie in 2005, loving son Dan Clifford Harvie in 2003, along with her sister Joan Claire (Tom) Fisher in 2022 and 2021 respectively, a brother John Giddings, former husbands Bruce Stevens and John Beatty along with her special Aunt Lethea and Uncle Wendell Carlson of Poultney VT.
Jean’s family extends many heartfelt thanks to the staff and administration of The Meadows at East Mountain in Rutland VT for their compassionate care during her time with them.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pittsford Historical Society, PO Box 423 Pittsford VT 05763 or the Maclure Library, PO Box 60 Pittsford VT 05763. A private family burial and celebration of life will take place in the spring.
Barnard Funeral Home in Pittsford is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, visit www.barnardfuneralhome.com .
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