Obituary of Dorothy Jeanne Harp

Dateline: Clifton Park, New York

Dorothy “Jeanne” Harp, 80, of Clifton Park, NY passed away at St. Peter’s Hospital on November 26, 2024, with her loving family by her side. Jeanne was born on July 7, 1944, to Charles A. Phoenix and Dorothy A. Phoenix (Atherton) in Yonkers, NY. 

She grew up in Eastchester, NY and was a graduate of Eastchester High School. Jeanne would often tell wonderful stories of her loving parents, her joyful childhood, and her beautiful home in Eastchester. As a child she enjoyed traveling with her family to Lake George, a tradition she continued later in life with her own children spending most weekends at Storytown and Gaslight Village often going to her favorite restaurant the Coachman. In her younger years she was an avid bowler and bowled many perfect games. 

Jeanne attended Russell Sage College in Troy.  She left college to care for her ailing father.  Later, she relocated to Cohoes near her paternal grandparents.  She then moved to Clifton Park, NY where she resided for over 55 years first in Clifton Gardens and then in one of the first homes built in Country Knolls South.    

She was the wife of the late Darrell W. Harp.  Jeanne was a homemaker and created a beautiful vibrant home filled with love, joy and laughter.  She always went out of her way to make everyone feel special, writing personalized heartfelt notes in each birthday and holiday card.       

A woman of beauty and grace, her family was everything to her including her feline friends which she had many of throughout her life.  Jeanne always filled the room with light and warmth. Her family has many memories of her taking them fishing, providing an ice-skating rink in their backyard and spending time at the pool. 

Jeanne was an amazing vocalist and sounded like Karen Carpenter.  She would fondly tell you how she sang back-up for Billy Vera.  You would often find her bringing her children to concerts at SPAC, singing or dancing around the house.  Music always meant a lot to her, and she would always encourage the musical talents of her grandchildren.     

Extremely intelligent with an excellent memory, Jeanne had a wonderful sense of humor, was a captivating storyteller and writer.  She enjoyed home decorating and architecture, even designing the addition on her own home.  She was an artist and would paint murals on her children’s walls and create homemade award-winning Halloween costumes.  She also made sure her children and grandchildren had many of her hand knit blankets, just so they always would feel her love.

In the community, Jeanne and her late husband, Darrell, were well known for the elaborate display erected in front of the Harp residence in Country Knolls South each holiday season which she created as a tribute to her father.  Comprised of handmade displays depicting Santa’s Workshop, the reindeer stable, angels singing in a choir, bears skating on an ice-skating rink, a snowman flying over the scene in a hot air balloon and others all designed by her.  The house had thousands of lights, dozens of giant candy canes, and many larger-than-life inflatable decorations.  The display was featured prominently each year in local newspapers and on TV.  What people did not realize was that the inside of her house was even more decorated.  She provided a beautiful, festive environment full of love and cheer for her family to celebrate the holidays. 

Small in stature, she was the heart and soul of the family.  Jeanne valiantly battled MS for almost 50 years.  Even though at times her illness provided quite a challenge, she always tried to think positively and fought courageously.  

In her older years Jeanne found great happiness in being reunited with her love, Paul Custead who loved and helped take care of her until the end.  In her final months, she found great comfort and friendship in her aide Rayvin, who provided excellent care. She also found great comfort in her family and would spend time providing hope, support and encouragement to them.     

Jeanne was caring to all, extremely generous and she always wanted the best for everyone.  She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

She was the devoted mother of Patricia J. Valvo, Cathy A. Barrett (Randy) and Kimberly A. Rosenberg, whose husband, Todd, she cherished as a “son”; Stepmother to Wayne R. Harp (Dena). 

Dear fiancé of Paul J. Custead; Sister of the late Patricia A. Lawrence; Cherished grandmother to the “Magnificent Seven” as she lovingly called them, Brandon C. Valvo, Amanda J. Valvo, Mark K. Barrett, III, Jennifer A. Valvo, Brooke A. Barrett, Justin C. Rosenberg and Aviva J. Rosenberg.