Obituary of Harriet Leary-Foster

In the year of our Lord 1953, April 1st a beautiful baby girl named Harriet Marie Conner was born to the union of Joe and Florence Conner while living in Cottonplant, Arkansas. The family moved to Indio, California in 1957. Harriet was later raised by Mr. & Mrs. Hyanes of Indio. She then moved to Banning where she attended Central School, Hoffer Elementary and Banning High School. Harriet had her first child, a daughter, Tina Strange, with now deceased George Strange. Tina was raised by Wendell Leary, Sr., who Harriet married in 1974. She and Wendell had two sons, Nkosi (Wendell Jr.) and James Leary. Harriet and Wendell were divorced in 1989. She then met Ernest Foster in 1992 and they were married in June of 1998. This union was of two true soul mates that both loved the outdoors, fishing and road trips. They were inseparable until she departed this world peacefully at her home in Desert Hot Springs with her family by her side on January 10, 2008. Harriet leaves to cherish her precious memory: Husband, Ernest M. Foster of Desert Hot Springs, California; Daughter, Tina Strange-Wormley of Austin, Texas; Sons, Nkosi (Wendell Jr.) and James Leary of Oceanside, California; Mother, Florence Conner-Hutchinson of St. Paul, Minnesota; Brothers, Rufus, Joel and John Allen Conner of Desert Hot Springs; Dennis, Paul, Billy and Joe Conner III of St. Paul, Minnesota; David Conner of St. Louis, Missouri; Joseph and Christopher Conner of Indio, California; Sisters, Shirley Carr of St. Paul, Minnesota; Sylvia Denson of Desert Hot Springs, California; Winnie Johnson of Palm Springs, California; Kim Batts of Fontana, California and Jan Zakia Conner, Annette Proctor of Oklahoma. Harriet was preceded in death by her Father, Joe Conner; her Grandmother, Eva Duncan and her Aunt, Louise Lewis. Harriet also leaves behind 7 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchild in addition to many dear friends, nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. The Visitation will be held at Wiefels & Son Memorial Chapel on Thursday, January 17th from 6:00-8:00pm. The Celebration of Life will be at the Banning First Missionary Baptist Church on Friday, January 18th at 11:00am with a Graveside following at San Gorgonio Memorial Park.