Hannelore Haerter Howard

Hannelore “Hanne” Haerter Howard passed away peacefully on August 2, 2023 at the age of 98, at the Mary Wade Home, New Haven, CT.
She was born March 28, 1925 to the late Wilhelm “Willi” and Helene Haerter, and grew up in the Charlottenburg District of Berlin, Germany. In 1943 she survived, along with her mother, the famous Rosenstrasse Protest. After the war Hanne graduated from the Hochschule Fur Musik in Berlin with a music teacher degree, then graduated from the Frei Universitat with a degree in music. When she was 25, she won a citywide audition on piano and received a scholarship to attend the Yale School of Music in New Haven, CT. At Yale she met her future husband, Lee Howard, Sr. Hanne taught piano at the Neighborhood Music School as well as privately, for over 40 years. She also was an accomplished recorder player and teacher and led a recorder quartet that performed throughout the New Haven area. She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (now the Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James), where she was a soprano soloist in the choir. She served on the Vestry of St Paul’s and was a volunteer at Loaves and Fishes Food and Clothes Closets for many years. Hanne was an energetic activist for social justice, dedicating herself to fighting racism and advocating for peace. She was also active with Citizens for Humanizing Criminal Justice. In her 50s she became a passionate writer of poetry. Her poems were deeply personal and explored her experiences and place in the world. Hanne treasured her many deep and loyal friendships. Her life story and her acts of courage and conviction inspired many. She was one of the first to be interviewed for the Yale Holocaust Project. Her tales of bravery and survival can be found in videos on YouTube. Hanne demonstrated true interest in others, and her energy, verve, and zest for life were magnetic. Well into her 90s, she maintained a strong telephone ministry with a wide range of friends and shut-ins. She played many piano house concerts for friends as well, despite losing her sight.
Hannelore is survived by her three children, Helen Herter Howard of Washington, DC, John Curtis Howard (Mamie Bittner) of Takoma Park, MD, and Lee Johnson Howard, Jr. (Valorie Howard) of Roswell, GA, and three grandchildren, Marissa Howard, Samuel Howard and Nora Howard. She was predeceased by her former husband, Lee Howard, Sr., her older brother, Hans Haerter, and her twin brother, Ullrich “Ulli” Haerter. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Loaves and Fishes, care of The Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James, 57 Olive Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of St. Paul & St. James. BEECHER & BENNETT FUNERAL HOME, 2300 Whitney Avenue, Hamden is in care of arrangements.