Claranell “Kibby” Harkins, 99, of Windy Hill Village PSL and formerly of Osceola Mills, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2017 at Windy Hill Village, PSL in Philipsburg.
Born July 12, 1918 in Wilkinsburg, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Margaret (Bowler) McKibben.
She grew up in Charleroi, Pa., and graduated from Charleroi High School in 1935. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in teaching.
She taught for three years at the Charleroi High School. She married Dr. William Ross Harkins and moved to Osceola Mills.
They had a daughter, Margaret Irene “Marene” Harkins. She married James Paul and resides in Towson, Md. They also had a son, Dr. William Kyle Harkins, and he and his wife, Michele reside in Philipsburg.
She did substitute teaching in the Philipsburg-Osceola High School and was an avid Bridge player.
“Kibby,” to those who knew her best, was an artist. She saw the world in a different light, enjoying its beauty and trying to compassionately understand the more difficult times.
She felt that the key to happiness was to never let yourself be bored. She was happy and lived her life without regret.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Stannard H. McKibben.
She is survived by her daughter and son, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Private funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC in Osceola Mills with the Rev. Stephen G. Durr officiating. Burial was at the Umbria Cemetery in Osceola Mills.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. To sign the online guestbook, go to: www.heathfuneral.com.
