Harriet Sargent Wiswell

)Harriet Sargent Wiswell of Southport, age 98, just shy of her 99th birthday, passed away peacefully at her home with family at her side. Born August 29, 1926, in Passaic, New Jersey to Norris Burr Sargent and Louise Fish Sargent, Harriet was raised in Passaic and spent her summers on Fairfield Beach. She graduated from Passaic High School and went on to Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, ultimately transferring to Colby College in Waterville, Maine where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1947. Her entire life Harriet most of all cherished her family and friends, but also enjoyed a great love for tennis, skiing, sailing and the outdoors.

While at Colby, she met fellow student George C. Wiswell, Jr. and on August 11th, 1948, they were married at First Church of Fairfield. Following a honeymoon on Nova Scotia they returned to Colby for completion of George's degree and graduation. While at Colby, they welcomed their eldest son George (Sandy). After graduation they moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts where sons Peter and Geoffrey were born. During 1960 George & Harriet moved to Southport, Connecticut where they raised their three sons and together embarked on the many ventures that were so reflective of the team they were. During the 1960s George, Harriet and the boys began their lifelong relationship with the Woodstock, Vermont area. This included most winter weekends skiing at Suicide Six and ultimately the purchase of land in nearby Reading. After considerable effort this became High Meadow Farm. Generations since have all learned the satisfaction of hard work in the woods of Vermont, but most of all the importance of family instilled by George and Harriet.

Harriet was an active member at Southport Congregational Church where she was actively involved with creation of the Carousel Thrift Store. She also took part in local town matters, supported the Fairfield Museum and was a member of the Southport Conservancy, Sasquanaug Association, Sasqua Garden Club, and since the early 60’s has remained a longstanding member at Pequot Yacht Club. George and Harriet's love for sailing often found them sailing their boats throughout New England and beyond. After the boys were grown, they expanded their sailing horizons to include the Caribbean, Chesapeake Bay, and on one occasion a crossing of the Atlantic on a four masted barque. Both sailing and other forms of travel were always high priorities, but with what became a common refrain that "there is never enough time to see it all, but there is also nothing like family and home".

Harriet had a great love for antiques and for many years collected and restored vintage early American finds. She also with George took pleasure restoring old homes, which included various Fairfield and Southport landmarks. When the Fairfield Museum moved to its current location, Harriet involved herself with the raising of funds to complete the Burr Library with which her family was so closely associated. Harriet over the years called Southport home but never lost touch with her Fairfield Beach home or their Vermont farm. Whether in Southport, on their boat, at the beach, or in Vermont, Harriet shared wonderful times with family and friends. Survivors include her three devoted sons, George Carlton Wiswell, III of Southport, Peter Sargent Wiswell (Rena) of Reading, Vermont, and Geoffrey Norris Wiswell (Karen) of Reading, Vermont; three grandchildren, Timothy Bennett Wiswell, Abby Wiswell Wright and David Sargent Wiswell, and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband George Carlton Wiswell, Jr., her sister Mary Louise Swift and her granddaughter Anne Campbell Wiswell.

A funeral service and burial graveside will be held for immediate family at Oak Lawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be announced at a later date for family and friends to celebrate Harriet’s life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southport Congregational Church (https://www.southportucc.org/new-page-20) or Fairfield Museum and History Center, 370 Beach Road, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824.