- Date Of Death: February 28, 2008
- State: Connecticut
Lucille M. Harder, 89, of Hamden died Thursday at Yale New Haven Hospital after a prolonged illness. Daughter of Ralph and Esther Esposito of Haven Street, Lucille was born on November 27, 1918, raised in Fair Haven and attended city schools including Hillhouse High School. Lucille graduated from Teachers College in 1941 and received a Master’s Degree of Science in 1972 from Southern Connecticut State College. She taught in public and parochial grammar schools in Middlefield and New Haven including Prince Street, Woodward, West Hills, Cheever, and St. Bernadette’s 1945 she married John F. Harder after a long courtship, interrupted by World War II, and they spent their early years together in Chicago as her husband pursued GI Bill graduate studies. They moved to Auburn New York where their four sons, Michael, Peter, Christopher and James, were born.Returning to New Haven in 1956, they lived in Morris Cove for the next forty-eight years. There they raised their family, welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and were active members of the community and St. Bernadette’s parish. Lucille’s home was a center of welcome and celebration to family and neighbors alike.Lucille and John lived at the Whitney Center in Hamden from 2004 and were active in community life there.Lucille is survived by her sons, six grandsons, Matthew, Stephen, Joshua, Loic, Christopher Ian and Eric and five great-grandchildren, Braeden, Kealey, John Peter, Monroe and Keaton. She is also survived by daughters-in-law, Barbara and Cindy, and sisters-in-law, Cecily Kikukawa, Monica Kelley and Jean Harder.Lucille was predeceased by her beloved husband John, and sister-in-law Joan Harder.
