Harriet C Walter

Waterville – Harriet Chase Walter, 96, wife of the late William I. Walter and the late Charles A. Packard, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2016 at Oak Grove Center in Waterville, Maine.

Harriet was born on May 22, 1919 in Boston, MA, the daughter of Frank and Anna Chase. She graduated from West Haven High School in CT and attended Fitchburg State Teachers College. In 1941 she married Charles A. Packard and they resided in Roslindale, MA until 1949 when they moved to Needham, MA. She remained a resident of Needham for 55 years until she moved to Waterville, ME in 2004 to be closer to her family. While a resident of Needham, Harriet worked for the Prudential Insurance Agency in Boston for a number of years. She was also a very active member of the Congregational Church of Needham, where she was a member of the Friendly Society of the church, served as a parish deacon and participated in the Senior Choir for almost 50 years. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Stephen Palmer Senior Center in Needham. After Charles’ death in 1975 she married William I. Walter in 1978, also of Needham.

Harriet loved being around people and especially enjoyed the company of children. She was very outgoing and more than willing to lend a hand to help others. She thoroughly enjoyed playing cards and traveling, as well as listening to music or participating in musical activities; so her time spent in the Congregational Choir provided her with great satisfaction and wonderful friendships. She was very proud of her family and very dearly loved her children, step-children and their families. Harriet also had a special place in her heart for Long Island, Maine where she spent many memorable summers with family and friends.

Harriet was predeceased by both husbands, her parents, her brother David J. Chase and her son Barry J. Packard. She is survived by a daughter Janet Croce and her husband Carl of Winslow, ME; a daughter-in-law Edith (Jodie) Packard of Tavares, FL; four step-sons: David Walter of Winthrop, WA; Glenn Walter and his wife Dale of Bradford, VT; Scott Walter and his wife Sabine of Orion, MI; Graham Walter and his wife Lois of Pelham, NH; nine grandchildren: Erica Fernald and her husband Mark of VA; Greg Croce and his wife Kitisha of ME; Kelly Zarate and her husband Tony of ME; Carolyn Walter of PA; Lauren Walter of NJ; Brendan Walter of VT; Douglas Walter of WA; Julia and Christopher Walter of MI; as well as six great-grandchildren.

Harriet’s family would like to thank the staff of Oak Grove Center for their exceptional kindness and support for Harriet during her residence there as well as Maine General Hospice for providing outstanding care during her final months.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Congregational Church of Needham on Saturday March 12, 2016 at 11:30 AM. Please visit www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with Harriet’s family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Harriet’s memory may be made to the Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 or to a charity of your choice.