Harriet Jane Wells

Harriet Jane “Hat” (affectionately “Irma” to her family) Wells died on April 22, 2025 in Homestead, FL at the age of 83. At the time of her death she had been living in an assisted living facility for nearly a year.

Hat is survived by her siblings, Tim Wells of Nashville, Sally Simoes of Miami, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her father Harry in 1956, her mother Barbara in 1993, her younger brother Mark in 1999, and her oldest brother Tom in 2024.

Hat was born on October 15, 1941 in Miami, Florida at Jackson Memorial Hospital. She graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1959 where she participated in several team sports. She attended Stetson University and received her paralegal certificate from the University of Miami. In the mid-sixties, she moved to Virginia and worked in Washington, D.C. for the Air Traffic Conference. Upon marrying Wayne Yocus in 1969, the couple lived in Jonesboro, GA until their divorce in 1980, whereupon she moved back to Miami. Hat had several jobs over the years in various clerical/administrative capacities, including at The Miami Rescue Mission. She also volunteered at Switchboard of Miami, a suicide hotline.

Anyone acquainted with Hat knew her uniquely infectious laugh. She held and expressed her feelings energetically; mirth was no exception. When something tickled her sense of humor, she burst out with quite an enthusiastic sound. Her zeal for the Miami Hurricanes was legendary. When watching games with family, one could readily anticipate the familiar cries of encouragement and disappointment to the football team.

Hat had a creative superpower: a knack for creating fitting and vibrant nicknames for new acquaintances, loved ones, and even everyday items and situations.These terms of endearment revealed deep understanding, added joy, and left a lasting impression.

She was a good listener, offering an understanding ear and often helpful advice when needed.

One of her greatest virtues was generosity. She was like the woman in the story of the widow’s mite: Though she never had very much material wealth, she was always handing over what she had to others. When unexpected windfalls came, she didn’t fearfully hoard them away for herself; she opened her hand and shared significantly with others.

She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

A gathering to honor Hat’s life is scheduled for June 21, 2025 at 1:00pm at Renew Church, Connections Room, 17569 SW 147th Avenue, Miami, Florida, with a catered meal to follow at the same location. A Zoom link will be available upon request. Please RSVP/regrets to Renee Kinney at 786-525-6517. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Hat’s life. Her family would like to thank the friends, caregivers, and hospital staff for their efforts, care, and dedication.