Harriett Louise Wiedebusch Raese

Harriett Louise Wiedebusch Raese, 86, passed away after a long extended illness on June 5, 2013. Harriett was born and raised in Morgantown, a descendent of early settlers of Monongalia County. Her maternal grandmother was one of the counties first school teachers and her paternal grandfather was a pioneer entrepreneur in mechanical contracting. Maternal ancestry was Daughters of the American Revolution. A lifelong resident of Morgantown, she was born on December 24, 1926 to Amy Deborah and Charles Kerr Wiedebusch. She graduated from Morgantown High School, West Virginia University and was also a member of Alpha XI Delta Sorority. She was a talented young artist and studied in the summers at the Parsons School of Design in New York City. She pursued her talent and traveled to California after college to become an expert painter and designed original blouses for many Hollywood stars. She later returned to Morgantown pursing graduate work and taught art at Morgantown High School. Because her love for the arts, Harriett was active in the community through the Monongalia Arts Center, being instrumental in the development of children's programs and professional appearances in art, music, theatre and dance. She served as Director of the MAC for 11 years. Fund raisers to continue the growth of the center was an ongoing processsuch as annual antique shows, Christmas galas and various summer events. Her husband Richard A. "Dyke" Raese played a pivotal role in supporting these events for MAC. She is survived two sons, Charles Dickinson Raese and granddaughter Amelia Morgan, Robert Arlington Raese and wife Paula Kay Raese; two stepsons, John Reeves Raese and wife Elizabeth Raese; granddaughters, Jane Greer and Agnes Reeves Raese, David Aubrey Raese and wife Kathleen Raese, grandchildren, Rebecca, Ethan, Adam, and Isabel; Uncle Walter Raese and family, Jack Raese and wife Reiko and the late Mary Jean Maroney and family; sister-in-law, Mary Kathryne "Kacy" Wiedebusch, niece Carole Jean Wiedebusch, nephew Charles Edward Wiedebusch and wife Heidi (Bartlett), sons, Charles Jackson Wiedebusch and James Gray Wiedebusch. She is also survived by her loving and special friends, Anna and Donna Haseleu and Barb Dalton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Richard Aubrey "Dyke" Raese; stepson, Richard Greer Raese; her brother, Charles Edward Wiedebusch; cousin, Deborah Gordon Mortazavi; several aunts, uncles, and cousins in the families of Hunter, Malcomson, and Gordon.