Her family moved to Gering in September of 1956. She attended school in Gering and was involved in Future Homemakers of America and was FHA Queen in 1966.

She graduated from Gering high school in 1966, the first graduating class in the new building. Harriett attended Nebraska Western College and graduated with an associates degree in 1968.

She taught country school in the Bridgeport/Broadwater area. On January 3, 1970, she married Phillip D. Jay at a service in Gering, NE, at St.

Timothy’s Episcopal Church, and three children were born from this union: Neil, Andrea, and Autumn.The family then moved to Lincoln in August of 1980. Harriett worked as a para, then as a secretary for the district office until her retirement in 2014, after 34 years of service.

There were various activities that Harriett enjoyed.

She taught Sunday school at numerous Episcopal churches: St.Timothy’s in Gering, St.

George’s in Oshkosh, and St.

Matthews in Lincoln. She was likewise involved with St. Mary’s women’s group at St. Matthews. She loved to visit with family members old and young, especially at reunions. She enjoyed sending little notes and gifts to the great/great-great nieces and nephews and receiving notes and pictures in return.

She also loved spending time with her kids especially when traveling.The trip to Ireland was one of her favorites, as well as when she was in Virginia and went to the ocean for the first time.

Harriett was a compassionate, resilient woman who always had an abundant amount of character and heart. She was a mother, aunt, wife, and full time caretaker to any and all, having an incredible amount of passion and patience for anyone that stepped into her life.

She taught her children, nieces, nephews, family, and friends how to love and be loved. How to be strong, and hold tight to all that they believe and hold dear. How to show kindness and compassion to all different types of people in the world. She was quick with a smile, had a contagious laugh, was so patient, and her kindness had no bounds.

Harriett’s legacy lives on by her children Neil Jay, Andrea Jay, Autumn Jay (Zachariah Lyons); grandchildren Zara Lyons (Troy Ogden), Payton Lyons, and Blayne Lyons; brother Thomas Skinner; sister Collette (Greg) Suhr; brothersand sisters-in-law Jim (Edna) Dudden, Pat Dudden, Mary Saunders, Charlotte (Roger) Silvrants, Kathy (Norman) Franken; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by parents Ira Neil and Mildred Nedine Skinner; parents-in-law Adelbert Dewitt and Ilo May Jay; husband Phillip Daniel Jay; and many in-laws.

A memorial service was held February 20 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln. Interment of her ashes will be on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Broadwater, Nebraska. A light luncheon will follow.