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03/23/2023 03:07 PM

Harriet Wall Juel


Harriet Wall Juel passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on March 15, at the age of 76, surrounded by her family. She was a lifelong resident of Clinton.

She was born April 3, 1946, in Middletown, to the late Elsa Maria (Rising) and Thomas Francis Wall. She graduated from The Morgan School in 1964.

Harriet, the youngest of five children, was predeceased by her brothers, Thomas F. Wall, Jr., and Peter D. Wall, and her sisters, M. Joan (Wall) Hagigh (Reza) and Catherine “Cookie” Wall.

While raising her family, Harriet worked at Bell’s Pharmacy, had a painting and wallpapering business, and ultimately found her niche as the office manager of Clinton Country Club (CCC), where she retired in 2010 after almost 25 years. It was at CCC that she met the love of her life, Dick Juel. For 30 years, their Leffingwell Road house was a loving place for their family to call home and the site of many impromptu gatherings, including holidays, backyard barbecues by the pool, or a quick visit from family and friends. When she and Dick downsized in 2020, their new house immediately felt like “home.”

Harriet is survived by her husband of 32 years, Richard A. Juel; and children, Alyson Donzello Roberts (Lawrence Ouellette, Jr.) of Clinton, Jennifer Donzello Konin of Westbrook, Jeffrey F. Zygmont (Joanna) of Madison, and Peter D. Zygmont of Southington, Eric Juel (Carol) of Newtown, Amy Juel of Clinton, and Jennifer Juel (Brian Kelley) of Mansfield, Massachusetts. Harriet; also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Patrick Roberts (Ashlyn), Kyle Elizabeth Roberts, Katie Konin, William and Molly Zygmont, William, Henry and Cecelia Juel, and Emma, Grace, and Connor Kelley. Affectionately referred to as “Hauntie,” she will also be greatly missed by her many nieces and nephews and their children, especially at their annual Bethany Beach, Delare family reunion.

Harriet fondly remembered her childhood growing up on East Main Street, where her parents housed local schoolteachers and actors from the Clinton Summer Theater. She watched the original Morgan School be torn down and could often be seen doing cartwheels down Main Street.

Growing up and living in Clinton, Harriet loved her town and was very active in the community, serving as assistant registrar of voters for 15 years, a co-founder of the Pretty Committee to beautify Clinton with her friends, board member of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and the Clinton 350th Committee. She was an active member of the Clinton Lions and Priscilla Clubs. In her younger years, she sang in the Choral Club of Clinton and the St. Mary’s Church folk group. She passed this love of music to her family, often leading sing-a-longs around her kitchen island at almost every get-together.

A proud and vocal Democrat, Harriet was a staunch supporter of Women’s Rights, traveling to Washington, D.C., for marches. Many a debate was had with friends and family, but she always respected others’ right to their opinions, even if they disagreed.

Harriet shared many laughs with lifelong friends, and she and Dick traveled often with them, their family, and “The Crew,” taking many a cruise and spending every February in Barbados.

Harriet will be remembered for the sparkle in her blue eyes, her infectious laugh, her kindness, and her love of life and family.

Harriet’s family would like to thank Dr. Zaheer and his staff at Smilow Cancer Center for giving her 17 bonus years and would also like to thank the hospice staff at YNHH Home Care Plus for keeping her comfortable during her final weeks at home.

Contributions in Harriet’s memory may be made to Families Helping Families, Inc., PO Box 166 Clinton, CT 06413, or to Dan Lewis’s Empire State Ride for cancer research, in which he will ride 500+ miles in her memory this July. (https://give.roswellpark.org/site/TR/SpecialEvents/General?px=1460054&pg=personal&fr_id=1810)

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023, at The Swan Funeral Home, 80 East Main Street, Clinton. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Carl Swan of Hamden Memorial Funeral Home.