Harriett Jean Davis Tripp, 86, of Iowa City, passed away Thursday, May 12, 2011, at her daughter's home in the presence of her children. In accord with her wishes, cremation and a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Her body has been donated to the University of Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice, Planned Parenthood or the University of Iowa College of Nursing.

Harriett Davis was born on July 28, 1924, in Perry, Iowa, to Clara (Lewis) and Edward Davis. After graduating from Perry High School, Harriett attended the Iowa Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in Des Moines, and was a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps. She received her nursing diploma in 1945.

Harriett married Robert S. Long in April 1944 and moved to Stanhope, Iowa. Harriett returned to Perry following her divorce in 1948, and worked as a private duty nurse. She married Charles Robert Tripp on Oct. 30, 1950, and was happily married for the next 41 years, until Chuck died in 1991.

Harriett continued to reside in Perry for many years, where she was a school nurse for the Perry School System. The family moved to Fairfield, Iowa, in 1965, and she continued her profession as a school nurse. Of particular note was her initiation of highly regarded sex education programs at each of her school systems. She retired in 1986 and was given the District's Outstanding Educator Award. Harriett and her husband, Chuck moved to the Iowa City area in 1990. She was active in many community programs including Iowa City Hospice, Senior Peer Counseling, Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority (housemother,) the University of Iowa medical student training program, North Dodge Athletic Club Joint Effort and the University of Iowa President's Club. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Perry, Iowa.

She is survived by two children, Toni Tripp-Reimer of Iowa City, and Todd (Wendy) Tripp of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Erika (Nathan) Derrick of Cedar Rapids, Cortner (Liana) Reimer of Iowa City, Whitney Tripp and Spencer Tripp, both of North Liberty; and three great-grandsons, Jacob, Noah and Davis Derrick.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband and her brother, Jack Davis.

The family is deeply grateful to the Iowa City Hospice, the Johnson County Visiting Nurses Association and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.