Harriett M. Waugh, 95, died Thursday, July 16, 2009 at Garden Hills Assisted Living in Spearfish.
Harriett M. Waugh was born in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the daughter of Ben F. and Nina (Morris) Mahoney. She spent her early years on her family's ranch in Alva, Wyoming where she participated in all the typical ranch activities, such as rounding up and moving cattle and fence mending; however, she was especially fond of any and all activities which included riding horses.
When Harriett reached ninth grade, she had to come to Hulett to finish her schooling. Her high school years were very memorable for her and she had many pleasurable experiences. English and literature were always especially interesting to her, as well as being active in track and basketball and school plays. Because it was not feasible to live in Alva while attending school in Hulett she "batched" in various homes in town with other kids doing the same to finish their education. When Harriett graduated from Hulett High School in the spring of 1933, she had made plans to attend Black Hills State College in Spearfish, South Dakota, in the fall. Majoring in Elementary Education, she began to work toward her life's dream—being a teacher. Her freshman year finished, Harriett came home and the following year she returned to Hulett to take fifth year Normal Training under Miss Mary Borne. This prepared her to accept her first teaching assignment at the Carl Wilson School for three years and one year at the Dirks School, after which time the school was closed for lack of students. She began teaching in the Hulett School for the next two years, and married Levi "Lee" Waugh in Newcastle, WY in 1940. For several years Harriett did not teach. During that time their two sons, Jerry and Ted, and their daughter, Ann Jannice were born. Harriett returned to teaching in the Hulett school system for several years between 1944 and 1950, including a year in Alva, and then every year from 1955-1979, until she retired after 34 years. While teaching, she took classes in the summers, and graduated from Black Hills Teacher's College in 1963 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and minors in Social Science and Art.
In responding to a question regarding her nomination as teacher of the year she said, "Teaching is one of the most worthwhile, fulfilling professions. There is a joy in it that comes from nothing else—the joy of seeing children grasp concepts and master principles which are basic to the building of other knowledge. In all my years of experience, if I have touched some of my students, helped them choose the right path in the way of a meaningful career, then I have had some small measure of success and accomplishment. There is nothing more rewarding than the teaching of young minds."
She was loved and respected by her students and will be remembered most for the stories she read, her tightly run classroom, her kindness, and the Gibralter candies.
She was always interested and concerned as to what was going on in your life. She wanted people to know that she cared deeply for them, and will be remembered for the many cards she sent. She gave more to the world than she took, and for that she will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ben F. and Nina (Morris) Mahoney; husband, Lee Waugh; three brothers, Bill Mahoney, Lyle Mahoney and Ben B. Mahoney. She is survived by her children Jerry (Sheila) Waugh of Gillette, WY, Ted (Nancy) Waugh of Hershey, Nebraska, and Ann Jannice (Dan) Neiman of Hulett, WY; two sisters, Margaret Conklin of Spearfish, SD and Dorothy (Max) Razo of Canyon Country, CA; seven Grandchildren, 16 Great-Grandchildren, two Great-Great Grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and friends, and a special pen pal, Miranda Griffis.
A memorial will be set up in Harriett's name to benefit the Hulett School.
Arrangements are pending.