Harriet Anne Ruckle Douthirt, born on August 20, 1944, passed away peacefully at her home on November 17, 2025 surrounded by her family. Harriet was born at Saint Agnes Hospital, grew up in Halethorpe as the second of six children, and the proud daughter of her beloved parents, Harriet Marie Ruckle and William Augustus Douthirt—known always to her as her Mommy and Daddy. She attended Ascension Elementary School and St. Martin's High School and was one of the first in her family to attend college. Harriet studied Early Childhood Education and Social Work at Towson University, a part of a lifelong devotion to healthy, happy children and families.

It was during her college years - while scooping ice cream on the Wildwood, NJ boardwalk one summer - that she met her husband of 56 years Michael Steven Cohen of Baltimore. Their meeting became one of Harriet's favorite stories to tell. They married in 1969 and spent the next five plus decades adventuring together: traveling (and often camping) in all 50 states, all but one Canadian province, and across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Alongside their travels, they raised a family of three children - Sean, Beth, and Barney - later welcoming a cherished bonus daughter, Henya, four deeply beloved children-in-law, and eventually six creative, kind, beautiful grandchildren, building a quirky, loving tribe that was the center of Harriet's heart.

After college and two years working as a social worker in Oella, Harriet devoted nearly 40 years to early childhood education. She was part of the founding of the Towson University Student Day Care Center, created during a national movement in the 1970s to make higher education more accessible to women, parents, and working-class families by providing affordable childcare with priority for student parents.

Harriet adored little humans - their honesty, their big feelings, and their wonder - and she dedicated her career to creating safe, joyful spaces where children and families could grow. During her time at the Center, she earned her M.Ed. at Goucher College and later began PhD studies at Columbia University. Though medical needs prevented her from completing the degree, she cherished her time studying in New York City.

Harriet's values were simple and profound: family and love above all else. She taught that our daily and lifetime "assignment" is to love ourselves and each other authentically - for who we truly are. She was shaped deeply by so many of the previous generations and especially her Aunties - Auntie Ag, Auntie France, and Aunt Alice - formidable women whose influence and strength echoed through generations.

Harriet, or "Dear Dear" as she was lovingly called within the family, leaves behind Michael, "the love of my life," and her children and children-in-law: Sean and Esha; Beth and Yosef; Barney and Mary; and Henya and Mark. She is also survived by her adored grandchildren who brought her so much pride and joy: Zoe, Bernadette, Maria, Arav, Maya, and Samuel.

She wants everyone to know that she loved her life, fought for it fiercely, and sought out peace for everyone around her. She protected and cherished her people with her whole being.

Beyond her home, Harriet changed lives: she helped influence legislation so pregnant women could remain in the workforce; proudly kept her maiden name at a time when that choice was rare; created programs that allowed incarcerated women to read bedtime stories to their children by phone; was part of the leadership of a women and children's shelter; built a beautiful children's library complete with puppet sets for each book; and supported hundreds of children and families during the most formative years of life.

Harriet held her babies - long into their adulthood - and gave them the courage to be themselves, to be brave, to believe in themselves, to build a personal and meaningful relationship with faith and with God, and to love their beautifully quirky community. She treasured her siblings - Mary Beth (Jack), Billy (Chris), Johnny (Linda), Fran (Frank), and Michael - as well as her beloved sister-in-law, Diane (Monroe). Her 16 nieces and nephews, and the many more who followed in later generations, brought her endless joy. Being with this loud, hilarious, beautiful tribe was her greatest joy always.

She modeled dreaming big, thinking deeply, finding joy, and loving generously. She gave us everything we need to understand "the assignment": love yourself, love each other, be kind, take care of each other, listen, be yourself, be brave, cultivate joy, avoid judging, and seek peace. And she asks that when you see geese flying overhead, you remember her in their harsh and exhilarating honking - the sound of families finding their way home together, declaring their place in the universe.

In lieu of flowers or food, memorial gifts in honor of Harriet Anne Ruckle Douthirt may be made payable to the Towson University Foundation in support of the University Child Care Center, P.O. Box 17165, Baltimore, MD 21297-0219, or online at the Towson University giving portal (please note "Child Care Center" in the "Other" box). Alternatively, please donate children's books to school libraries in her honor. And shower love on yourself, this above all else Harriet wanted.

Live stream link for Eulogies on Sunday November 23 at 3 PM

Live stream password: douthirt