Harriet Wilcox Conkey

Conkey, Harriet Wilcox With sadness and deep appreciation for a life admirably lived, we share the passing of Harriet Wilcox Conkey of Edina, Minne sota. She died, surrounded by family, at the age of 93 on May 29, 2016 from complications of a stroke. Harriet was born on April 5, 1923 in Pine City, Minnesota, the only child of Dewey and Jennie (Schmidt) Wilcox. She graduated from Pine City High School in 1941. She was involved with her family's local newspaper business, The Pine Poker, which is now the Pine City Pioneer. She graduated in 1944 from the University of Minnesota School of Business, now the Carlson School of Management. She was a member of the U of M Concert Band and belonged to Kappa Delta Sorority, serving a term as president. Later, after the war, she returned to graduate studies in journalism at the U of M. Harriet served as an Ensign in the US Navy WAVES from 1944-46. She was stationed in Washington, D.C. in Naval Intelligence. In 2013 she was honored for her service by participating in a WWII Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.. She married the love of her life, David R. Conkey, in 1947, and they made their home in southwest Minneapolis. She was a board member of Conkey Associates, Inc., a consulting engineering firm, for 34 years. Her responsibilities with the business took her on travels to Venezuela, Panama, and Argentina. After David's retirement, Harriet traveled to Ireland (1989) with David, who was doing work for the US Department of Agriculture. They also were involved with the International Executive Service Corp (IESC ) in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (1994), Kropotkin, Russia (1997) and in Alexandria, Egypt (1999). Throughout her life, Harriet believed in giving back to her community, a legacy she passed on to her children. She was involved in Camp Fire Girls, first as a leader and later as president of the Minneapolis Council Board. In addition, she was on Camp Fire regional and zone boards. Harriet was a 57 year member of The Woman's Club of Minneapolis and was involved in the Godfrey House Museum project from its inception in 1975. As a guide, she shared her knowledge of the Godfrey House with others. She served as a board member for the Clara Doerr-Lindley Hall of the WCA, the 1006 Summit Avenue Society, and Senior Community Services. She was a long time member of the League of Women Voters. She was also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. Harriet enjoyed gatherings with her family and friends, the cottage on the St. Croix River (Pearl Spring Camp) and visits with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchil-dren. She appreciated anything to do with a party, good card games, hummingbirds and soaring eagles, dogs, pansies, and rhubarb in the spring. Harriet is survived by her husband of 68 years, David Conkey; her brother-in-law, George Warren Conkey (Audrey); four children, Gretchen Shanight (Tom), Martha Voorhies (John), David W. Conkey (Tom Blackmar), and Harriet Worker (Warren); eleven grandchildren, David (Aimee) Shanight, Amanda (Eric) Kuhl, Joel Shanight, Dan (Carilyn) Voorhies, Jill (Jeremy) Martin, Luke (Raeann) Voorhies, Jenny (Nick) Schmerler, Sarah (Sean) O'Brien, Dewey (Heidi) Worker, Ben (Kara) Worker and Jim Worker; 18 great-grandchildren; cousins; and a slew of special nieces and nephews and their wonderful children. There will be a gathering in her honor at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis (410 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis) on Friday, June 10, 2016, between 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. In Harriet's memory make a donation to one of the foregoing organizations, donate to a charity of your choice, or perform an act of service in your community.

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Harriet Wilcox Conkey

May 29, 2016

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