Nita G. Harrison

Nita Harrison, 88, formerly of Putney, VT, passed away peacefully at LiveWell in Plantsville, CT, on January 2, 2025, with her daughter Calico at her side.

Nita was born November 4, 1936, in Jonesboro, AR, to the late Wilma and Frank Harrison. She graduated from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with a degree in Studio Art in 1957. In June of that year, she married Donald Harington, and they lived in Boston, MA and Millbrook, NY, before settling in Putney, VT, where Nita continued to live for the next 50+ years. Nita stayed home to raise their three daughters, while her husband worked as an author and professor. After separating from her husband in 1979, she worked as a librarian and an office administrator at the Brattleboro Retreat, and for various local non-profit groups, including the Putney Preschool. Nita and Donald were divorced in 1983.

Nita enjoyed traveling, and the family lived briefly in both Mallorca, Spain, and Dublin, Ireland, when her daughters were young. She traveled occasionally back to Arkansas to visit her mother and other relatives. Nita loved Wales and Welsh culture and visited the region with her daughter Katy in 1998.

Intelligent, creative and witty, Nita had a dry and endearing sense of humor. She had a natural gift for drawing and painting, skillfully rendering her interests and the world around her. She had an eye for interior design and was very handy at finishing furniture and other pieces. She also enjoyed sewing and knitting. Nita loved reading and had an extensive home library. She participated in several book groups and served on the board of the Putney Library for several years. 

 An avid outdoorswoman, Nita enjoyed hiking, camping, backpacking, bird watching, foraging, and nature photography. Cats were her loving, constant companions at home. Her cat fancy extended to wild cats in their natural habitat. Although Nita could be quiet and reserved, she was an excellent listener and an enthusiastic conversationalist, always eager to discuss books, movies, politics, the environment, and historical figures and events. 

Music played a central role in Nita’s life. She played the harmonica proficiently by ear and was an accomplished whistler. Her stereo was kept on throughout the day, to play public radio or music, usually classical. She especially liked Baroque composers and Celtic traditional melodies.

Nita is survived by her daughters Jennifer Brizzi of West Stockbridge, MA, Calico Harington (Mig Halpine) of Bethany, CT, and Katy Harington (Pete Zimmerman) of Three Oaks, MI, and four grandchildren, Miles Halpine, Ella Halpine, Sofia Brizzi and Marco Brizzi. She is also survived by her cousins Jennie Belle Cole and Mary Ann Gwinn and their families.

Memories can be left at nitaharrison.wordpress.com.  A memorial service will be held in Vermont at a later date. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements.