Harriet Arlene Best Schauman

LITTLE VALLEY — Harriet Arlene Best Schauman passed away peacefully Sunday (Sept. 7, 2025) at the WCA Hospital in Jamestown, after suffering a stroke.

Harriet was born July 17, 1935, to Ermyntrude and Walter Best of Gerry, where she was then raised.

Harriet attended Cassadaga Valley Central High School, Class of 1953. High school activities included playing clarinet in the high school band, the violin in the orchestra, chorus (she loved to sing!), and she was even a high jumper on track and field.

Harriet was also a cheerleader at Cassadaga Valley High and to the end, that woman was still limber enough at 90 years old to bend over and put her hands FLAT on the floor. Go Harriet!!

Harriet’s favorite instrument was the piano, which she learned to play in her early years. She would play at church in her teenage years and at the age of 16, she had the privilege of playing for her 76-year-old grandmother when she was remarried. In her young adult life, she was given a treasured gift and surprise from her husband Bob of a beautiful new piano of her very own. Harriet continued to play her beloved piano right up until her passing.

On Oct. 3, 1953, Harriet married the love of her life, a handsome marine named Robert “Bob” Schauman of Ellington. They would have celebrated their 72nd anniversary next month.

Harriet was employed in her early years of marriage at the American Manufacturing Concern in Falconer, where they built furniture. A few years later, she became a full-time, stay-at-home wife and mom with the birth of her first daughter, Darlene. Three years later, Bob and Harriet moved to Sinclairville, where their daughter Maxeen soon joined the family.

Harriet was known for having the loudest whistle of anyone, and throughout their youth, her girls could be clear across town playing and still hear their mother’s whistle to come home. The whole town knew that whistle! What a woman… Her whistle never diminished in strength.

In 1965, Harriet’s family moved to Little Valley, where they resided for the next 53 years in the house that they built together, just outside of town and overlooking the valley. Harriet always worked alongside her husband with their many projects all throughout the years. They were a beautiful team, always loving to one another, and no one ever saw them argue.

When they built the house, Bob asked Harriet if she wanted a dishwasher, but her response was, “No thank you, I have two daughters to help me, and that is our quality time together.” Their daughters did not appreciate the concept at that time, but they grew to realize just how important that special time was with her. Her girls also have fond memories of driving in the car as a family, serenaded by mom and dad’s singing and harmonizing, “You are my Sunshine” being the favorite.

Harriet enjoyed baking, and there were always cookies in the drawer or her famous cinnamon rolls. And once in a great while, the family would have the joy of waking up to the smell of homemade fried cakes on a Saturday morning!! Heavenly…

Throughout the years, family and friends enjoyed Harriet and Bob’s warmth and hospitality in their home, whether it was for a special occasion, a delicious dinner, a cup of coffee or a rousing game of cards, the door was always open for company.

Harriet kept an immaculate home for her family. To this day, the family insists that the ‘dust’ was afraid of Harriet as you rarely saw any in her presence. Her granddaughters still joke that it had to be, not guy clean, not girl clean, not even mom clean, but GRANDMA clean!

The house was not the only well-kept area, for the yard and Harriet’s beautiful flower gardens received just as much attention. She was known for her particular desire to pull every little weed and not just at her own house, but at her church as well.

Harriet was also a gifted seamstress, even sewing both her daughter’s wedding dresses. She loved to knit and make endless pairs of mittens, scarves, and blankets through the years, and to this day, many folks are still enjoying the afghans she created.

In addition to her crafty gifts, Harriet was involved with the local “Village Players” for several years, not only acting in some of the plays, but also sewing costumes and helping with behind the scenes activities.

Harriet volunteered for several years as a Gray Lady for the American Red Cross at the Salamanca Hospital, providing non-medical services. In later years when Harriet’s girls had families of their own, she and Bob opened their home as a safe house for domestic violence victims. They also donated their time to provide transportation to elderly folks who needed rides to various appointments.

Harriet was a devoted servant to the Lord her entire life. She spent time in the Word daily, raised her daughters and grandchildren up to know Christ, and shared her gift of music as organist and choir member at the United Methodist Church for over 50 years. She was also involved with many other aspects of service to her church throughout the years, as the treasurer, as a Sunday School teacher, aiding with Vacation Bible School, serving on various committees and serving for many years as the church secretary.

If grandchildren were visiting, they went with her and helped change the hymn numbers on the wall, prepared and folded bulletins, cleaned pews and even helped to weed the gardens, always exemplifying the importance of a servant’s heart to one’s community and church. Harriet was a well-respected and beloved woman who loved others unconditionally.

In 2018, Harriet and Bob made the difficult decision but necessary to sell their long-time family home. They moved into a lovely senior living apartment complex in Lakewood, not far from their childhood homes and many of their siblings. They continued to share their loving hospitality and gifts in their new surroundings..

Harriet is survived by her loving husband, Robert “Bob” Schauman; her two daughters, Darlene K. (James) Farnham of Mesa, Ariz. and Maxeen A. Winship of Little Valley; five grandchildren, Marie C. Farnham of Spencerport, Michele A. (Shaun) Panek of Bradford, Pa., Kristin Aldrich Case of New London, N.C., Jaymie N. (Michael DiBiase) Rutherford of Little Valley and Jacob G. Winship of Little Valley; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Richard Best and Kermit Best; and her son-in-law, James Winship.

And finally, to many of those who knew and loved her dearly, she will always be known as the “BEST” girl in town!

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at the Mentley Funeral Home, 411 Rock City St., Little Valley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Bradford Area Christian Academy, 25 Chambers St., Bradford, PA 16701, or be made online via PayPal, through the donation link at bacaacademy.com in memory of Harriet.