Harriet Lou Swink

Othello Resident Harriet Lou Swink, aged 82, passed away 10 am, Tuesday, January 7th, 2014 at Coventry Assisted Living.

Harriet was born in Prosser to Ernest and Neva (Rothrock) Fisk on April 14, 1931. She was the third of three daughters. She attended the local schools there and also learned to play the piano and the violin. She excelled in art in which she was inspired by artistry of her father. She won a competition to design the Prosser city logo which was used during the 50's and 60's. Harriet's senior year of high school was in Seattle where she lived with her sister, Bertha Lawrence.

In 1950 she entered a school of business in Seattle to learn secretarial work and bookkeeping. While she was there she met fellow student Royal Dean Vincent and married him. This marriage did not last very long and she returned to her parent's home in Prosser.

In Prosser, Harriet met Lester Norman Swink. She married him in Seattle in 1952 and adopted her first son, Micheal. She and Lester returned to Prosser where their sons, Joel and Nathan, were born 1953 and 1954, respectively.

Harriet and Lester moved to Othello in 1955. Harriet quickly became involved with the "Othello Outlook". She helped with the layout of the paper and she contributed a column titled "Over the Clothesline" and later a column titled "Library Corner." In 1958 her last child, Rebecca, was born. During these early years in Othello, Harriet was very involved in her children's lives. She was simultaneously a Sunday school teacher, a voice in the choir, a deacon, and a cub scout den mother. She instilled in her children all the Christian virtues, the love of learning, and the love of music.

In 1964, Harriet resumed her education by enrolling at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake where she received her Associate in Arts degree. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Eastern Washington State College and in 1970 her Master of Arts degree from the same place. Harriet became a poet and practiced her craft almost her intire life. Her works were published in many venues including the "New York Quarterly".

In 1971, Harriet began a career of teaching literature and creative writing. Firstly, at Big Bend College and then at Dyke College, Cleveland, Ohio. At Dyke she contributed a humorous cartoon for the student paper named "The Adventures of Star Tress".

Harriet was divorced from her second husband in 1980.

In 1988, she retired from teaching. She returned home to Prosser to care for her elderly, widowed father. During this span of years she became a partner in the "Hangups" art gallery. Here she returned to her earlier love of art. She created and sold many kinds of art including paintings, drawings, post cards, collages, and decorated boxes. Meanwhile she tutored grade school students. In 1992, her father, Ernest, died and for the next 9 years she lived alone in the same home of her childhood. She submitted an updated design for the Prosser city logo and it was accepted. It is found most prominently on the water tower there.

In 2011, Harriet moved to the Coventry House in Othello. At Coventry, Harriet continued to create cards, scrap books, journals, and collages. Her children extend a warm thank you and a deep appreciation of the tender and excellent care Harriet received at Coventry.

Harriet was preceded in death by sisters Anna Rose Yates of Boise, Idaho, and Bertha May Sumner of Seattle; her dear nephew, Gary Yates, and her beloved grandson Travis Swink. Harriet is survived by her sons, Micheal, Joel, Nathan and her daughter, Rebecca Mohs; nine grandchildren; and eighteen great grandchildren. A service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Friday the 10th at the Othello Presbyterian Church. A second service is scheduled for 11:00 am Saturday the 11th at the Prosser Covenant Presbyterian Church. There will be as a time for final viewing frist on Friday at the Othello Presbyterian church from 11:45 to 12:45 and then on Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45. Burial will follow at the Prosser Memorial Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Chapel. To leave a note for the family please visit stevensfuneralchapel.com.