b. December 18, 1927

by Charles K. (Ken) McCotter, Jr., Christ Episcopal Church, New Bern, NC, 2016

Harriet Louise Gilbert Milde was born in Oneonta, New York. She graduated from Oneonta High School and attended the Wilson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Johnson City, New York. She received her BS and MS in Nursing Education at New York University.

Harriet met her husband Bill in May 1953 on a blind date arranged by her father. Harriet needed a ride into New York to go to a Chinese dinner. Her father insisted that she allow Bill Milde to escort her. After dinner they visited a Chinese temple where Harriet rang the gong three times: one for good health; two for wealth; and three for a happy marriage. Bill rang the gong three times and they were married in October 1953. Harriett and Bill were happily married for 53 years until Bill passed away in 2008. They had one son and two grandchildren.

Throughout her professional career Harriet worked in health care. From 1953 to 1983, she held numerous positions at New York Rockland Psychiatric Center, including staff nurse, nursing instructor, principal of the school of nursing and other clinical administrative roles. Bill was a civil engineer.

Harriet and Bill retired to New Bern in 1984 because of the good weather, hunting, fishing and boating. Harriet immediately became involved in the community. She taught part time in the Nursing Program at Craven Community College and at the Jones County Unit of Lenoir Community College. They joined the Lutheran Church and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. She served on the Human Rights Committee at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro. She served as a court appointed guardian ad litem for twenty years. Joining the Tryon Civitan Club, Harriet learned about New Bern. Through Civitan and Social Services, she worked with unwed mothers and abused children.

In 1986 Harriet and Bill looked for a new church home. When they attended Christ Church, the rector, the Rev. Ed Sharp, greeted them. They attended Christ Church the next Sunday. Recognizing them, Mr. Sharp called them by their names and Harriet says “We were Episcopalians,” and they were confirmed later that year.

Harriet served on the vestry and as chairman of the outreach program. She helped Religious Community Services develop a soup kitchen and homeless shelter. She helped Christ Church organize Matthew 25 to assist with community needs, particularly working with “at risk” middle school students. She helped develop Merci Clinic, a free medical clinic.

Harriet participates in Angel Tree, a program to provide Christmas gifts for children of prisoners. She helped with Christ Church’s first refugee family and continues to work with the refugee ministry. She participates in Yokefellow Prison Ministry in Newport and the Listening Ministry at RCS.

Harriet is a member of the Episcopal Church Women. She has served as president of the ECW and St. Frances Chapter. She served as chairman of the Cookie Walk for two years. She has served as Chairman of the Trinity Deanery and is the historian of the Deanery.