Obituaries

Harriet Morrel

Harriet Morrel was born in Yonkers, N.Y., on April 20, 1924, and peacefully passed away on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011.

After graduating from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, Harriet married Mel Morrel, M.D. (deceased), and earned a Master’s degree in both art education and art therapy. Mel and Harriet raised their four children in Massapequa, where Harriet taught art at Massapequa and Berner high schools. Upon her retirement from teaching, Harriet became a board-certified art therapist and worked in that capacity at Brunswick Hospital in Amityville until her second retirement at age 80.

After retiring from hospital practice, Harriet volunteered at Massapequa Public Library, Bar Harbour Branch, teaching art to persons of all ages. Even after she moved to Peconic Landing in Greenport, Harriet volunteered as an art therapist.

Harriet will be remembered by the many students whose art careers she encouraged and by the many other persons to whom she introduced the art world.

Harriet was also a skilled artist herself, especially as a printmaker, well-versed in art history, a poet and a licensed pilot.

Harriet is survived by her four children, Howard Morrel (Jill), Beth Morrel, M.D. (Henny Coolen), Owen Morrel (Laurie Jewel) and Abby Mendillo; eight grandchildren: Luke, Tyler and Elizabeth Morrel, Danny and Rosie Coolen, Jennifer Keller, M.D. (Charlie), Stephanie Dobson (Jonathan) and Jacqueline Mendillo; and one great-grandchild, Ryan Keller.

Arrangements were handled by DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes. Interment took place Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at Mount Ararat Cemetery in Farmingdale.

Donations may be made to Massapequa Public Library, Bar Harbour Branch, 40 Harbour Lane, Massapequa, NY 11762 or to the donor’s charity of choice.

This is a paid notice.