Harriet (Phillis) Taft Esty passed away in New Haven, CT on May 20, 2014 after a short illness. She was born October 28, 1918 in Ashland, KY. Her husband, Frederick C. Esty, predeceased her in 1985. Her sister, Ann Lockwood, predeceased her in 2010. Her sister Elizabeth Huke Foster, predeceased her in 2013. Harriet is survived by her niece, Pam Washington, of Larchmont, NY and her family; her nephews, Andy and Doug Lockwood, of Houston, TX and their families; and her nephew Morgan Huke, of Gloucester, MA. On her husband's side she is survived by her nieces, Betsy Parks of Sandwich, MA, Sue Baker of Orr's Island, ME and her family, and others. Harriet was raised in Ashland, KY and attended Centre College and the University of Kentucky, She married Frederick C. Esty on Nov. 20, 1943 in Framingham, MA. They settled in Framingham and moved to Hamden in 1973. Harriet was an excellent cook and loved to entertain; her Bloody Marys, chicken divan and cheesecake were legendary. She was an accomplished gardener and flower arranger. She was an honorary life member of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut and served in many board positions at the Spring Glen Garden Club. She also kept a succession of black standard poodles including Duke, Dash, Dari, Demi, and Louis.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, June 20 from 2-4pm, 6th floor Commons, at Whitney Center 200 Leeder Hill Dr. in Hamden, CT. Donations in her memory may be made to Spring Glen Garden Club c/o Delice Feinn, Treasurer 540 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT 06517. To sign the online guest book please visit hawleylincolnmemorial.com.