Harriet Laurabelle Eitniear
Harriet Laurabelle Eitniear, a strong, creative, adventurous, and loving woman, died September 18, 2024 at the age of 88. Harriet was born August 27, 1936 to Herman and Dorothy (Dickerson) Durbin Sr., one of eight children of the couple. She married her first husband, James Sinclair, in 1955 and together they had three daughters. James passed away at the age of 34, and Harriet fell in love for the second time to Roy (Harold) Eitniear, a former school mate, widower and father of three daughters himself. As the two married and blended their families, they shared their ability to love and accept everyone, enjoying many adventures together. Harriet loved all her girls, and she loved to sew. She made barbie doll clothes when the girls were young and made many of the girls’ clothes including flannel pajamas at Christmas. When the grandchildren started coming along, the flannel pajamas at Christmas tradition continued for everyone! Harriet loved quilting and made many beautiful quilts for her family and friends. Harriet always persevered and was there for her family during tough times, sharing her compassion and spunk when it was needed most.
Harriet and Harold went on many adventures together across the U.S. and even bicycled around England. She began running in her 40’s and ran in several races. Harriet also enjoyed white water rafting, canoeing (including canoe races with Roy) camping with family (two weeks every summer, rain or shine – mostly rain), bowling, and Detroit Tigers baseball, spur of the moment ice cream runs with the grandkids and quiet things like reading, quilting, crafting, flower gardening, and decorating cakes.
Harriet is survived by her children, Cathy (Michael) Larson, Laurie Savage, Sally (Mark) Coleman, Terri (Gary) Ross, Robin (Michael) McCain, and Kim Artibee; grandchildren, Jennifer Crane, Lisa Volz, Keith Ross, Deja Chavez, Staci Lowe, Jason Artibee, Matthew McCain, Joeph McCain, Rachel Hayes, Ann Larson, Rebecca Coleman, Tyler Larson, and Bailey Coleman; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy (Jerry) Tegethoff; sisters-in-law, Patricia Nicol and Diana Boyce. She was predeceased by her first husband, James Sinclair; second husband, Roy (Harold) Eitniear; sons-in-law, Theo Savage and Richard Artibee; her parents; and siblings, Barbara Matthews, Beverly Beals, Jean Neubert, Herman Durbin Jr., Aletha Beals, and Kathryn Tegetoff.
Friends are encouraged to support Harriet’s family by attending services or sharing memories (especially pictures of the quilts she had made) on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. Visitation will be held just prior to the service from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Harriet’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Sycamore Creek Food Pantry. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.