Harriet Verzagt
February 10, 1934 — April 2, 2024
Harriet F. Verzagt (1934-2024)
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Harriet Verzagt, formerly a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, died peacefully at Kline Hospice House. Her 90 years were filled with a remarkable life that saw a variety of careers, interests, and many lives touched.
She worked at the National Academy of Sciences where she saw the first astronauts and President Kennedy. She later worked for many years with the Future Farmers of America (now National FFA Organization) as an archivist, as well as providing significant support to the National FFA conventions. The FFA honored her with their highest award given – Honorary American Farmer. Harriet subsequently worked for Alpha Business Services and supported the accounting and tax services. The latter part of her career saw her working for Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, where she worked and volunteered for over 25 years. Her work with Mount Vernon paralleled her great interest in history. She had an extensive knowledge of George and Martha Washington and their home, Mount Vernon, as well as Washington’s Grist Mill. Her knowledge enabled her to write an article for the National FFA magazine regarding a historic visit to Mount Vernon of FFA youth. She took interpreter training at Mount Vernon and she had further education in Medical Terminology, American Sign Language, Diabetes management, and classes at V.P.I. (now Virginia Tech).
Harriet was a kind and caring person, and this was expressed through much volunteering. Her efforts included playing piano in church for 50 years, volunteering at the local hospital, fundraising for the Lions Club, and actively supporting her husband’s ministry. Harriet donated more than 100 units of blood, which is just one of the many ways she helped those in need. She faithfully visited the elderly and shut-in members of the church, as well as assisting orphans, welcoming an exchange student from Brussels, serving as a room mother at the neighborhood elementary school, supporting WMU (a Christian women’s ministry), and strongly supported the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong ministries. She enjoyed crocheting, and reading, particularly about current events. She read the Washington Post daily until age 90.
Harriet was a kind, helpful, and reliable individual who took care of family, old to young. She cared for her parents and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She took joy in maintaining many family traditions. She is survived by three daughters, a brother, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations can be sent to Mount Vernon, where Harriet was dedicated to serving guests at George Washington’s home; Frederick Health Hospice where Harriet received excellent care for the last weeks of her life; or Mount Airy Baptist Church which provided spiritual and social nourishment following her husband’s death.
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Harriet Verzagt, formerly a resident of Alexandria, Virginia, died peacefully at Kline Hospice House. Her 90 years were filled with a remarkable life that saw a variety of careers, interests, and many lives touched.
She worked at the National Academy of Sciences where she saw the first astronauts and President Kennedy. She later worked for many years with the Future Farmers of America (now National FFA Organization) as an archivist, as well as providing significant support to the National FFA conventions. The FFA honored her with their highest award given – Honorary American Farmer. Harriet subsequently worked for Alpha Business Services and supported the accounting and tax services. The latter part of her career saw her working for Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens, where she worked and volunteered for over 25 years. Her work with Mount Vernon paralleled her great interest in history. She had an extensive knowledge of George and Martha Washington and their home, Mount Vernon, as well as Washington’s Grist Mill. Her knowledge enabled her to write an article for the National FFA magazine regarding a historic visit to Mount Vernon of FFA youth. She took interpreter training at Mount Vernon and she had further education in Medical Terminology, American Sign Language, Diabetes management, and classes at V.P.I. (now Virginia Tech).
Harriet was a kind and caring person, and this was expressed through much volunteering. Her efforts included playing piano in church for 50 years, volunteering at the local hospital, fundraising for the Lions Club, and actively supporting her husband’s ministry. Harriet donated more than 100 units of blood, which is just one of the many ways she helped those in need. She faithfully visited the elderly and shut-in members of the church, as well as assisting orphans, welcoming an exchange student from Brussels, serving as a room mother at the neighborhood elementary school, supporting WMU (a Christian women’s ministry), and strongly supported the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong ministries. She enjoyed crocheting, and reading, particularly about current events. She read the Washington Post daily until age 90.
Harriet was a kind, helpful, and reliable individual who took care of family, old to young. She cared for her parents and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She took joy in maintaining many family traditions. She is survived by three daughters, a brother, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations can be sent to Mount Vernon, where Harriet was dedicated to serving guests at George Washington’s home; Frederick Health Hospice where Harriet received excellent care for the last weeks of her life; or Mount Airy Baptist Church which provided spiritual and social nourishment following her husband’s death.
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