Harriet B. MacGregor

KENNEBUNK – Harriet B. MacGregor, 96, passed peacefully on July 20, 2025. She was raised in Mansfield Depot, Conn., and graduated from Windham High School in Willimantic, Conn., in 1947. Harriet was a legacy and proud graduate of Connecticut College, class of 1951.

After graduation she set off for Boston to begin a career in Early Childhood Education. While teaching at Peabody House she met the handsome social worker, Bob MacGregor. They became engaged at The Bull and Finch (Cheers), married and eventually moved to Danvers, Mass., where they raised their family- Karen, Kathy, Bill and Jan.

Harriet continued to teach in preschools in the North Shore area. In her decades in the field, she was keenly aware of the social and emotional development of young children. She was a champion for the importance of play.

Upon early retirement, Harriet and Bob continued their life of service. They joined the Peace Corps and spent two years serving at an orphanage in Tunisia, Africa. When they returned, Harriet and Bob built a home in New Gloucester where they lived for 28 years. They began working with Intercultural Nursing Association and made many service trips to the Dominican Republic, assisting in medical clinics. At home she volunteered at the local library, food bank and Habitat for Humanity. Over the years, Harriet was an active member of Maple Street Church in Danvers and First Parish in New Gloucester. For the past five years she attended church online at First Parish, Gorham. She lived her faith through service and helping others.

Swimming and floating on Pleasant Lake at the family camp was her happy place. Harriet began a yoga practice in her 90s, was a fierce Scrabble competitor and a prolific reader. She started book clubs in New Gloucester and at her most recent home, Huntington Common. She always had the right words to soothe, heal and humor. Her advice ranged from the practical, “Don’t buy generic trash bags.” to the profound “Children need your love the most when they deserve it the least.”

One of Harriet’s goals in life was to “have a big family that gets along” and she succeeded! She was “Grama” to many, including nine grandchildren and she was “Grama Harriet” to 13-plus great-grandchildren.

She leaves behind her loving children, daughter, Karen L. MacGregor, son, Bill (Karen P.) MacGregor, daughter, Jan (John) Miliano, and son-in-law, Tom Johnson.

She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 72 years, Bob in 2024; daughter, Kathy MacGregor (Tom) in 2005 and son-in-law, Peter Sargent (Karen L.) in 2014.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care Harriet received from the staffs at Southern Maine Medical Center, Hospice of Southern Maine and Huntington Common. There will be no service as was Harriet’s wish. Her children held a bedside blessing.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Harriet’s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.

To honor her extraordinary life please read a book to a child, jump in the lake or do a good deed.