Miriam A. Harling

Miriam “Miri” A. Harling, 94, of Indianapolis, passed away on February 14, 2022. She was born on August 30, 1927 in Charleston, SC to the late Nelson F. Zittrauer Sr. and Ethel (Hilton) Zittrauer.

Miriam was predeceased by her husband Edward (“Ted”) Harling, whom she married June 30, 1944, in Charleston SC; her parents; brother, Nelson Zittrauer Jr.; sisters, Ethel Davis and Dolores Hiers.

Miriam is survived by her daughters, Janis (Stephen) Lewman of Fountaintown and Myra Dworski of New Palestine, formerly of Indianapolis; sister, Gloria Zittrauer, granddaughters, Andrea (Patrick) Gorman and Heather (Ronnie) Pierce; great-grandchild, Tiffany Harris; 3 great- great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces; numerous friends who shared her love of sewing; and wonderful neighbors, Carolyn, Amber, Doug, Phyllis and Walter. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, including longtime friends and distant relatives in various countries of this world with whom she stayed in contact.

Miriam was a professional seamstress.  Numerous clients enjoyed the arrival of Miri-Fit at their homes to create and/or alter their clothing to provide that perfect fit. Her love of sewing began while sitting at the knee of her paternal grandmother during summers spent in Savannah, GA.  Her grandmother said she would not teach her but expected her to learn by observing.  It was always a joy to watch bolts of beautiful fabric laid out on the huge dining room table; cut and stitched into the latest fashion for her grandmother’s clients.

Miriam also enjoyed years of competitive ballroom dancing with her husband, often finding themselves among the finalists in competitions. And she was her husband’s prime supporter and encourager during his many years of participating in local theater groups and performances. She never missed a practice or play performance. She was fiercely protective of Ted – the love of her life – and was known to kick him under the dining room table when he reached for a bowl of cabbage, lovingly warmed up, again, by his mother-in-law for the third or fourth time in a row.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Flanner Buchanan – Washington Park East, 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46229, with Fred Girdwood officiating.

A lengthy procession of pet cats found their forever home at Miriam and Ted’s home over the years. In lieu of flowers, please honor Miriam’s wishes by assisting less fortunate animals with a memorial contribution in her honor to the Indianapolis Humane Society.