Jean Kathryn Harland

JEAN KATHRYN (nee Van Natta) HARLAND, 92, of Little Falls died suddenly Sunday at

St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, Paterson.

Born in Paterson, Jean resided in Paterson and Totowa before moving to Little Falls in 1954. She had been employed as a typist and claims examiner with Prudential Insurance Co. of Wayne. She was the past president and a lifetime member of Little Falls School #3 PTA and served as a Girl Scout Leader for 30 years in Little Falls.

Mrs. Harland was predeceased by her father, Russell Van Natta; her brother, Russell Edward Van Natta, who was killed in action during the Korean conflict and by her two sisters, Evelyn G. Van Natta and Claire J. (Van Natta) Gaita.

Survivors include: her three daughters, Beth Harland of Little Falls, Robbin Harland of Weehawken, and Jill Harland of Little Falls; her four grandchildren, Laura (Albert) Fox and husband Brian of Northbrook, IL, Megan (Harland) Myers, of Marlboro, NJ, Mark Harland of Little Falls, and Julie Minogue and wife Emily Beckerman of San Antonio, TX, and nephews, Sam, Russ and Joe Gaita of Virginia.  She was a beloved great aunt of 12, a great, great aunt of 9, and a great, great, great aunt of 5.

The family would gather in Wildwood Crest for family reunions for 40 years. She enjoyed spending summers in the Pocono Mountains. Jean loved to knit, sew, embroider, and do crossword puzzles.  She attended all events that her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved with.  She was an avid Yankee fan and hardly missed a game starting with the old radio broadcasts up to the current day YES channel.  She enjoyed Broadway shows and attended plays at the Papermill Playhouse for 49 years. “Club” was an extremely important part of Jeans life consisting of 8 girls from Passaic Valley High School that remained friends for life.  Jean was on White Cheering in 1950, but cheered for the Greens in later years as her daughters and granddaughters joined the Green team. 

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:30 on July 11th at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa Road, Totowa. (Please gather at the Lower Cemetery entrance closest to Riverview Drive and Hillery Street Bridge).

Friends wishing to honor Jeans memory may consider a contribution to Veterans of Foreign Wars National Headquarters, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

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