Miriam (Mimi) Harley, 98, peacefully passed away on October 29, 2023, at her home in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Born September 1, 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Stanley Dubuc and Geraldine Burns Dubuc, Mimi had three brothers, Stanley Dubuc, Jr., Edgar P. Dubuc, and Clyde A. Dubuc, each of whom pre-deceased her. Mimi spent her early years in St. Elizabeth’s Orphanage in New Orleans. As a teen, she lived with her Uncle Gustave Dubuc and Aunt Lizette Dubuc, where she helped raise her cousins, Elaine and Glenn Dubuc. During that time, Mimi attended Moler’s Beauty College and began her first career as a hair stylist in New Orleans.
Her first marriage, to Harvey Johnson, ended with Harvey’s death in 1963. She met her second husband, James P. Harley, at an Army social event in New Orleans. After marrying, James and Mimi moved to James’s native New York City and later Clifton, New Jersey. While in Clifton, Miriam worked for many years at Hoffman-LaRoche and as an administrator in a successful family business she founded with her husband.
Prior to retiring to St. Petersburg, Florida, Mimi provided steadfast support to her husband’s career in the Army, from which he retired after achieving the rank of brigadier general. James Harley preceded her death in 2007.
Mimi had a close and loving relationship with her step-daughter, Catherine “Chi-Chi” Harley, who pre-deceased her in 2013, as well as Chi-Chi’s husband, John Ryan.
Mimi raised and cared for numerous dogs over the course of her life. Her beloved dog, Snickers, was with her in her final days.
She provided a welcoming presence to friends and family, for whom her door was always open. Few left Mimi’s home without having heard a good story, and nobody left Mimi’s home hungry. Forever grateful, Mimi often said that she “lived a good life”.
Among those left to cherish her memory are Mimi’s brother-in-law, Joseph Harley, sisters-in-law Gail Harley and Joan Dubuc, and numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends, along with those who provided care for her during her later years.
Those who loved her will honor her life each day forward, but in particular when she is buried next to her husband James at Arlington National Cemetery on a date to be scheduled.
If so inclined and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and the Parkinson’s Foundation.
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