Harriet Agar Hart

SHEFFIELD — Harriet Agar Hart, 87, a longtime resident of Sheffield, died Thursday, April 9, 2014, at the home of her son Arnold Agar Jr. in Ashley Falls.Born on Nov. 4, 1926, in Stamford, Conn., she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth (Daskam) and Wilton A. Pierce. She moved to Sheffield in 1948. Mrs. Hart worked at Great Barrington Healthcare for 18 and a half years before retiring in 1988. Following her retirement, she continued to do volunteer work there.As a young girl, she began showing and training dogs in obedience work at dog shows, winning several prizes and degrees with her dogs. She also raised Doberman pinschers and Shetland sheepdogs until 1988, when an injury forced her to retire.She then went into raising and showing flowers. She was a very avid gardener and raised African violets for over 40 years. She was a member of the African Violet Society of America, Gesneriad Society and the St. Paulia International African Violet Society. She has also raised and showed many other varieties of flowers, and won the 1992 state award in Stockbridge, Mass., for her flowers along with many other ribbons at fairs and shows. She was a member of Springside Nurseries in Pittsfield, Mass., for many years.Mrs. Hart is survived by her two sons, Arnold C. Agar Jr. of Ashley Falls and Walter D. Agar of New Marlborough, Mass.; her daughter, Dawn E. Hoyt of Ashley Falls; five grandchildren, Clifden A. Agar, Melinda L. Agar, Kristie A. Ovitt, Lee-Ann Agar and Daskam Agar; five great-grandchildren, Blake Ovitt, Alyssa Ovitt, Kody D. Goddard, Victoria S. Goddard and Hunter J. Puff; and her beloved friend and pet for many years, Teddy.She was preceded in death by her first husband, Arnold C. Agar Sr.; and by her second husband, Ralph Hart, who died on June 15, 1990. The couple was married on January 17, 1988. She was also predeceased by her son, Christopher K. Agar; and her grandson, Arnold C. Agar, III.In accordance with her wishes, services will be private.Memorial donations may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society or HospiceCare in the Berkshires through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to the family through www.finnertyandstevens.com.The family would like to thank the staff at HospiceCare in the Berkshires for all of their support and care of Harriet.