Edyth Harb

MADISON-Edyth Harb, age 86, died on Thurs. July 25, 2013. She was born in Richland Center, WI, on April 20, 1927, the daughter of Saloma and Francis Barry. At the time of her birth, her sister, Chlemantene, was 20 years old and her brother, Gordon, was 18 years old. Edyth graduated from Richland Center High School, where she enjoyed many extracurricular activities, especially working in the high school library and playing the piano to accompany the high school chorus while she was a senior. Edyth took piano lessons all during grade school and high school and did a lot of playing in those years, including playing for several churches. Edyth attended the Business Institute of Milwaukee where she completed a medical secretary course. She then came to Madison to begin a job as secretary to the Superintendent and Medical Director of Lake View Sanatorium. Edyth later transferred to the Dane County Public Health Department. She was employed in these two Dane County jobs for a total of 43 � years. During those years Edyth was involved in the work of a number of civic organizations. She was president of the Madison Toastmistress Club, the Business and Professional Women's Club, and the International Association of Administrative Professionals. She was on the board of many groups and somehow always became that group's recording secretary. These included Capital Community Citizens, the local cancer and MS societies, and 13 years on the Friends of Madison Public Library Board. Edyth married George H. Harb on September 9, 1961, at First United Methodist Church in Madison. George was a member of the Dane County Board, so they had some very busy years. They left their Norris Court apartment in 1976 to move to the Meriter Retirement Community where they eventually became the residents who had lived there for the longest period of time. After Edyth's retirement she was a member and chair of several Retirement Community committees and president of the Residents Association for one year. She was editor of The Center Post, the residents' monthly magazine from 1990 to 2012. She was on the board of the YWCA for 5 years and president of the Woman's Club of Madison for 3 years. Edyth was active at Christ Presbyterian Church from the time she came to Madison until she was married. She then transferred to First United Methodist Church since her husband had been a longtime member and had attended Sunday School and Boy Scouts there. Edyth is survived by several nieces and nephews (her brother's children) but has maintained a meaningful relationship with only one, Craig Barry of Arizona. Her husband, George, died on January 7, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents, sister, and brother.
There will be a Memorial Service for Edyth on Thurs. August 1, 2013 at 11:00 a. m. at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 203 Wisconsin Ave.