Harriet Kelsey
Harriet Elida Morgan Kelsey (May 29, 1894 - March 18, 1971)[1] was an American Bahá’í who helped develop the Bahá’í community of the United States. In her personal life she was a musician.
Background[edit]
Kelsey was born Harriet Elida Morgan in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1894. She married John Henry Bristol in 1924 and they a daughter, Mary, but later divorced.[1]
Kelsey was introduced to the Bahá’í Faith by her friend Valeria Kelsey and she joined the religion. In 1928 she married Valeria's son Curtis and they had three children, including Mary who Curtis adopted.[2][1] In her youth Kelsey studied piano under the Dean of the Julliard School of Music and she became a piano and singing teacher and she performed at several events including at the Green Acre Summer School.[3]
Kelsey's husband often traveled to serve the Bahá’í community and she was largely responsible for raising their children.[3] When her children were older she began accompanying her husband on his travels and in 1953 she accompanied him on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.[2]
In February 1970 Kelsey's husband was involved in planning a large public proclamation programme to be held in Bradenton, Florida, when he became ill and passed away. Although she was severely ill with cancer herself she finalized the programme before her passing in 1971.[3] The Universal House of Justice conveyed the following message after her passing:
GRIEVED LEARN PASSING DEVOTED MAIDSERVANT HARRIET KELSEY HER DEDICATED EFFORTS COMPANY LATE HUSBAND BEHALF CAUSE AMERICA FROM TIME OF MASTER WELL REMEMBERED CONVEY FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM.[3]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harriet Elida Morgan at ancestors.familysearch.org
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1976). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 15 (1968-1973), Pg(s) 471. View as PDF.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1976). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 15 (1968-1973), Pg(s) 472. View as PDF.
