Effie Bell Harders

Effie Bell Harders, 101, passed away quietly on September 20, 2018 at her home of 64 years in Elmsford. A lifelong area resident she was born on September 25, 1916 to Edgar and Lavina Bell at their home at Pocantico Lake in the town of Mt. Pleasant, grew up in the former hamlet of Eastview and graduated from Ardsley High School. In the 1940’s she was employed by North American Phillips where she was a diamond cutter supporting U.S. efforts in World War II. After raising her children she went on to work for the Elmsford Public School system as a food services worker. Effie was a direct descendant of Pieter Jansen Haring, who emigrated from Holland in the 1660s and owned a 200-acre farm in lower Manhattan that covered most of what is known today as Greenwich Village. Effie’s Great-Great-Great Grandfather John Haring, an active rebel during the American Revolution, was a member of the First and Second Continental Congresses and delegate to the New York Convention to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Effie was an active sports enthusiast throughout her life and could often be found at local high school games or glued to her favorite sporting events on television; particularly baseball. As a young woman she was active in women’s softball and basketball throughout the 1930’s and 1940’s as a member of teams such as the Traders and the semi-professional Foley Farmerettes of North Tarrytown. She was also an active bowler and competed on local and statewide level from the 1940’s through the mid 1960’s. She is survived by her immediate family including Robert and Meg Harders of Poughkeepsie, NY, Kim Harders of Olathe, KS, Douglas Harders and David Case of Red Hook, NY and Wayne Harders of Elmsford, NY as well as her two grandchildren Kristopher and Flavia Harders of Palo Alto, CA, Katie Harders of Ft. Myers, FL and great granddaughter Tathiana Marie Harders. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. One of 10 children, she was predeceased by all of her siblings; Virginia Gallagan, James Bell, William Bell, George Bell, Gertrude Walton, Watson Bell, Grace Bell, Marian Skinner and Audrey Millow. She will be greatly missed and warmly remembered by those who knew and loved her. The family would like to particularly thank Doris Addo who has served as Effie’s loving friend and caregiver for the past 8 years.