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In memory of
Harleen Putnam
December 12, 1942 - September 27, 2024
Dec 12, 1942 - Sep 27, 2024
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Background
Harleen worked very hard her entire life. Raised by parents who were inattentive and neglectful, Harleen had to grow up fast, and took care of her little brother who was seven years younger. By the time her step mother kicked out her of the house, on the day she graduated high school, Harleen had already become a survivor. Her next residence was at the YWCA, and she had to work hard to pay for simple things like food.
But she was enchanted by my father Hubert, and he in her, so in time they married and moved to New Mexico, where he was stationed in the Air Force. She was still very young, 19, when she had their first child, Dave. Four years later they welcomed a daughter, Brook. By this time they lived in New England. During those early years of marriage she also worked full time so that Hubert could go to school and earn his degree in Electrical Engineering.
Around the same time, Harleen started a preschool where they lived in Massachusetts and was offered a free education in teaching, but Hubert said no.
Eventually Harleen’s family moved to California and her husband had a good job, so she became a stay-at-home mom, which was probably the best time in her life. She loved being there for her kids when they came home from school, or when they came home from some sort of GenX trouble they had been into.
Later, money was tight again, and she needed to go back to work. It made her very unhappy. But she was used to stepping up to the plate in hard times. She ended up working until she was in her seventies, because the need was always there.
Hubert started a business and couldn’t do it alone, so she joined him. They went two years without a day off. But the business, a commercial printing company, was always busy.
Then in September of 2004, Harleen’s caring, brilliant son succumbed to his overwhelming depression and ended his life. This tragedy changed her. But we took her anger in stride, knowing that her life had been difficult so far, and that it seemed so unfair to have this happen.
She eventually turned to Real Estate for a few years, then Harleen and her husband left Orange County to start a new life in a desert community called Apple Valley. Brook, who had a debilitating illness, went with them.
Harleen still had to work to support her family. Hubert was trying to make money on the stock market, but never made enough to help the family finances. Finally, both began receiving social security, and lived comfortably for several years.
At the age of 80, on June, 14, 2023 Flag Day, she and Brook heard a loud noise outside the front door. Together they investigated, and found Hubert on the porch, passed away from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Once again, Harleen had to be strong. Not only had she lost her life’s partner, her income was cut in half, and a simple life became an impossible one, financially. But once again, she found ways to make life work, and she eventually found peace in her life with Brook. They eventually found happiness.
Then, in June of the next year Harleen was struck with a massive heart attack. She seemed to be healing for several weeks, but then she contracted a new strain of Covid, one they didn’t have a vaccine for yet. Her lungs filled with fluid quickly, causing a lack of oxygen to her body and brain. While doctors were able to relieve her lungs of the fluid, the damage was done and a few weeks later she succumbed to the weakness created by the disease.
Harleen Putnam was a light in the lives of so many people. From the pre-schoolers she taught in Massachusetts, to friends, employees, and especially her children, Harleen showed compassion to others, and was willing to help whenever she could.
Harleen had a hard and tumultuous life. The members of her family were the jewels in her crown, and that was more than enough for her. We now send her with an ineffable love to the Other Side, knowing that she will receive all the graces that she deserves. Em Hotep Contribute
But she was enchanted by my father Hubert, and he in her, so in time they married and moved to New Mexico, where he was stationed in the Air Force. She was still very young, 19, when she had their first child, Dave. Four years later they welcomed a daughter, Brook. By this time they lived in New England. During those early years of marriage she also worked full time so that Hubert could go to school and earn his degree in Electrical Engineering.
Around the same time, Harleen started a preschool where they lived in Massachusetts and was offered a free education in teaching, but Hubert said no.
Eventually Harleen’s family moved to California and her husband had a good job, so she became a stay-at-home mom, which was probably the best time in her life. She loved being there for her kids when they came home from school, or when they came home from some sort of GenX trouble they had been into.
Later, money was tight again, and she needed to go back to work. It made her very unhappy. But she was used to stepping up to the plate in hard times. She ended up working until she was in her seventies, because the need was always there.
Hubert started a business and couldn’t do it alone, so she joined him. They went two years without a day off. But the business, a commercial printing company, was always busy.
Then in September of 2004, Harleen’s caring, brilliant son succumbed to his overwhelming depression and ended his life. This tragedy changed her. But we took her anger in stride, knowing that her life had been difficult so far, and that it seemed so unfair to have this happen.
She eventually turned to Real Estate for a few years, then Harleen and her husband left Orange County to start a new life in a desert community called Apple Valley. Brook, who had a debilitating illness, went with them.
Harleen still had to work to support her family. Hubert was trying to make money on the stock market, but never made enough to help the family finances. Finally, both began receiving social security, and lived comfortably for several years.
At the age of 80, on June, 14, 2023 Flag Day, she and Brook heard a loud noise outside the front door. Together they investigated, and found Hubert on the porch, passed away from a self-inflicted gun shot wound.
Once again, Harleen had to be strong. Not only had she lost her life’s partner, her income was cut in half, and a simple life became an impossible one, financially. But once again, she found ways to make life work, and she eventually found peace in her life with Brook. They eventually found happiness.
Then, in June of the next year Harleen was struck with a massive heart attack. She seemed to be healing for several weeks, but then she contracted a new strain of Covid, one they didn’t have a vaccine for yet. Her lungs filled with fluid quickly, causing a lack of oxygen to her body and brain. While doctors were able to relieve her lungs of the fluid, the damage was done and a few weeks later she succumbed to the weakness created by the disease.
Harleen Putnam was a light in the lives of so many people. From the pre-schoolers she taught in Massachusetts, to friends, employees, and especially her children, Harleen showed compassion to others, and was willing to help whenever she could.
Harleen had a hard and tumultuous life. The members of her family were the jewels in her crown, and that was more than enough for her. We now send her with an ineffable love to the Other Side, knowing that she will receive all the graces that she deserves. Em Hotep Contribute
Funds are being collected and disbursed by Brook Putnam, Harleen's daughter.
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Memories & condolences
Harleen was a high school classmate, and it is so sad to read about what she has gone through. On behalf of the Bulkel…
Harleen was a high school classmate, and it is so sad to read about what she has gone through. On …
Harleen was a high school classmate, and it is so sad to read ab…
I am so sorry to learn of Harleen's passing. I knew her when we were children on Harbinson Ave in Hartford Ct and gradu…
I am so sorry to learn of Harleen's passing. I knew her when we were children on Harbinson Ave in H…
I am so sorry to learn of Harleen's passing. I knew her when we …
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a contribution to Help Harleen Rest Peacefully.
$5,915
goal
Show your support:
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Brook Putnam (Harleen's daughter).
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