DARTMOUTH - Mariana B. Harkins, affectionately known as “Nini” to her family, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 1, 2018 at the age of 97. She was born on May 9, 1921 in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Albert D. Boardman and Marion W. Boardman.
She lived in Puerto Rico until age nine, then moved to Miami, FL and later to Jacksonville, FL where she graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1939. Nini had many fond memories of her upbringing in Puerto Rico, telling numerous stories about her pet spider monkey, Panchito, the family parrot, and their kind houseboy Carmello.
Mariana graduated from Florida State College for Women, now known as Florida State University, in 1943 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. She was elected the president of the Phi Mu sorority her senior year.
Shortly after her college graduation, she attended a USO dance in Jacksonville, FL and met the love of her life, a young Navy Pilot named Richard J. Harkins. They were married in 1944 and eventually settled in South Dartmouth, MA in 1952. In addition to raising five children, Mariana kept a busy social life which included a weekly “coffee break” with the neighborhood moms, bridge club, and active roles with the PTA at Cushman School, the Alcott Club, the Girl Scouts and the League of Women Voters, including a term as president. Mrs. Harkins was a beloved home economics teacher at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School from 1969-1984.
She had so many wonderful friends throughout her years in Dartmouth, and was a founding member of a bicycling group called “The International Zippers.” She took up the game of golf at the age of 55 and spent happy hours playing with friends and family. When in her 80’s she and her team (which included two other octogenarians) tied for 2nd place at an Invitational at Allendale Golf Club. Mariana continued playing bridge well into her 90’s. She was a longtime member of the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth.
She leaves her four daughters; Kathleen Meeker (Stephen) of San Francisco, CA, Susan Foos (Joseph) of Needham, MA, Elizabeth Harkins of Norwood, MA, Margaret Harkins (Rindert Schutten) of Portland, OR and her son Richard Jr. (Brigitte) of Spokane, WA; seven grandchildren, Philip Meeker (Lavinia), Patrick Meeker (Angela), Anne Meeker, Gregory Foos (Emma), Marianna Foos, Casey Harkins & Christopher Harkins. She also leaves her special late-life companion, David Cohen of North Dartmouth. She was predeceased by her husband Richard, and three brothers, Whitney D. Boardman, John D. Boardman and Robert E. Boardman.
A Private Burial was performed at the Massachusetts National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 11:00 AM Arrangements are through the Wilson Funeral Chapel in New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) or to Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico.