Harriet M. Bracken

Obituary & Life History

Harriet M. Oelgoetz Bracken, 90, long time Upper Arlington resident, died at Willow Brook Christian Village in Delaware on March 9, 2010. She was born...

Harriet M. Oelgoetz Bracken, 90, long time Upper Arlington resident, died at Willow Brook Christian Village in Delaware on March 9, 2010. She was born in Columbus, Ohio on May 20, 1919. Harriet was a native of Columbus, Ohio, growing up in Clintonville. She graduated from St. Mary of the Springs Academy and The Ohio State University with a BS in journalism in 1941. She has been a member of Sigma Kappa sorority.
She was a vice president of Huntington National Bank for many years, having retired in 1982. While there, she was instrumental among others in the introduction of the automated teller machine (ATM). She was also a devoted associate of F & R Lazarus Co. as advertising manager.
Harriet was an active community volunteer serving in leadership positions on the United Way Board of Directors, the Upper Arlington Cultural Arts Commission Board, the Center of Science and Industry, Columbus Club of Zonta International since 1970, and was a founder and the first president of the Columbus Metropolitan Club in 1976.
She was among the first members inducted into the Ohio Women Hall of Fame in 1978. She was awarded Emeritus membership by Zonta of Columbus for her efforts in the growth and development of members through promoting equality for all women. She also was named in “Who’s Who of American Woman” in 1974 among many other honors and awards. Harriet is preceded in death by parents Joseph F. Oelgoetz Sr. and Ida Kauderer Oelgoetz; husband, George F. Bracken; and brother, Joseph F. Oelgoetz Jr. She is survived by daughter Lee Bracken of Boston, MA; son Drew Bracken and family of Granville; stepson Michael Bracken and family of Plano, TX; brother James Oelgoetz of Indianapolis; cherished grandson, Matthew Bracken; sister-in-law Joan Oelgoetz of Columbus and numerous relatives and friends whose lives were touched by this intelligent, competent, kind and gracious woman. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 pm on March 12 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Road in Upper Arlington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on March 13 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in Upper Arlington followed by interment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Columbus. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in her memory either to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311, www.diabetes.org, or to Passages at Willow Brook, 100 Willow Brook Way South, Delaware, OH 43015-3249, www.willow-brook.org.
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