Obituary: Harriet B. Schaye

Harriet B. Schaye, 79, of Longboat Key, died at home March 28 after a long and valiant struggle with a heart ailment.

Mrs. Schaye was born Aug. 11, 1933, in Medford, Mass. She attended Brookline High School and Boston University and married Edward N. Schaye Feb. 22, 1953. They lived in Beloit, Wis., then Rockford, Ill.

The Schayes discovered Longboat Key as a result of their son John working for Nick Bollettieri. They made their first visit to The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort in 1977. The plan was to stay two weeks, but the weather up North was bad, and it was love at first sight, so Ed Schaye commuted while Mrs. Schaye basked for six weeks. They bought at the Colony on that visit. They acquired at Sea Place in 1978 and in Winding Oaks in 1997, when they moved here full time.

A statuesque woman with a mane of curly red hair, Mrs. Schaye was active in all of her communities, including the Girl Scouts in Boston and the sisterhood of congregation B’nai Abraham in Beloit. In Sarasota, she joined the board of Community AIDS Network in 2006 and served as its chairman in 2007 and 2008, becoming chairman emeritus when her health failed. Mrs. Schaye was a great friend to many and loved a good game of cards.

Mrs. Schaye is survived by her husband, Ed; sons John Schaye, of Great Britain, and Robert Schaye, of Beloit; daughter, Elizabeth Ballis, of Chicago; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. There will be a memorial service at a later date.

The family is receiving visitors from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, April, 1 at their home at 3449 Winding Oaks Longboat Key.

Contributions may be made to Community AIDS Network, 1231 N. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota, Fla., 34237; Jewish Family & Children’s Service, 2688 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, Fla., 34237; or the charity of your choice.