CHESHIRE, Mass. —  

Harriette Regina Bator died in Cape Coral, FL on August 18, 2026 at the age of 101. She was born in a farmhouse on Stafford Hill in Cheshire, MA on July 21, 1926, (some say July 22, as it was a midnight birth). According to family lore, horse and carriage were used to bring the doctor up. Her parents were Nelson Bedard and Delia Bechard Bedard. 

   “Miss Harriette” as she was known by her southern friends, was educated at the former “Pumpkin Hook” one-room schoolhouse in East Cheshire, and at the former Adams High School where she graduated in 1944. She was married to Francis T. Bator on May 28, 1946. The couple moved to Adams, MA where they raised their family. Francis predeceased her in 2010. They celebrated 64 years of marriage.  Together they traveled to Hawaii, Aruba, Bermuda, Las Vegas, Nashville, Panama and Quebec City, and wintered in Florida for many years. During and following the pandemic, she resided there year-round.

     Harriette’s career was varied and included  clerical positions at the Adams Town Hall and the State of Massachusetts Social Services Department. When her children were young, she sold cosmetics for Beauty Counselor and attended the LeBaron School of Hairdressing in Pittsfield, MA.

     She enjoyed entertaining, cooking, winemaking, home decorating, fashion, shopping, golfing, long walks, theater, music, and all of the arts. She will be fondly remembered for her intellect, industry, keen sense of style, and dedication to her family and friends.

     Harriette is survived by her daughter, Caren Les (Alan Nuttall), her son, Larry Bator, and granddaughters Julia Lorien (Gavin) and Katey Bator. Also surviving her are sisters- and brothers-in-law, Rita Bedard, Joan Bator and Richard “Bruce” Bator, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. 

     Besides her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her sister Rachael (“Jack”) Ferguson and her brothers Leo (Gertrude) Bedard and Leonard Bedard. She was also predeceased by sister-in-law Lana Bator and brother-in-law Stanley “Bud” Bator Jr.

     On Thursday October 1 at 10 am, visitation will be held at the former Notre Dame Church on Maple Street in Adams. A funeral mass will be held at 11 am followed by burial at Bellevue Cemetery.    Memorial donations may be made to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library or to a charity of one’s choice.