Obituary of Harriet M. Dalton

    Harriet M. Dalton, a long-time resident of Denville, passed away peacefully in her home on September 25, 2023. Though we mourn the loss of this wonderful woman, we know that she is reunited with her husband in paradise.

            Harriet was born in the summer of 1938 to Dudley and Hattie DeMouthe in Morristown, New Jersey. She was raised in Montville alongside her two sisters and graduated from Boonton High School in 1955. She decided to continue her education at Wood Secretarial School in New York City, graduating in the class of 1956. In 1965, Harriet would marry the love of her life, Philip J. Dalton, Jr. The pair spent 47 beautiful years together and raised 1 son.

            After graduating, Harriet began working as an Executive Secretary at Columbia Records in NYC, then took time off of work to focus on her family. Later she would spend a few years working as a credentialing analyst at Delta Dental in Parsippany before retiring at the age of 68. Harriet was an active member of the Union Hill Presbyterian Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher and secretary for many years. In her free time, Harriet liked to travel; her favorite spots to vacation being Hawaii, Jekyll Island in Georgia, and the Jersey Shore. Harriet also had such a deep love for her family and treasured the memories she shared with them, including times with their grandson, Thomas.

            Although we are saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing that Harriet is at peace, spending eternity in paradise with those who passed before her; her husband, Philip J. Dalton, Jr., her parents, Dudley and Hattie DeMouthe, and her sister, Marilyn Dominick. We look now to those she leaves behind to carry on her memory. Her survivors include her son, Philip J. Dalton III and his wife Kim, her step-daughters, Laura VanDorsten and her life partner Rick Westenberger, Donna Yost and her husband Don, Denise Doran and her husband William, her step-grandchildren, Anthony, Kristen, Evan, Jayne, Thomas, her sister, Judith DeMouthe and a wealth of step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors who will all remember her fondly.

            All services will be private, but if you would like to contribute to Harriet’s memory in your own way, please consider making a charitable contribution to the American Cancer Society. Donations can be made via inmemof.org to ensure receipt of your donation. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, and share your favorite memory of Harriet here to continue to celebrate her life and let her light shine.