Gabrielle Hiller Harrington, lovingly nicknamed Putzi by her father, was born March 8, 1932, in Munich, Germany. Her first and second languages were German and French. She learned English when her family moved to the United States in 1938. The family settled in Evanston, Illinois, where her father, a neurologist, had previous connections with Northwestern University. The family lived there until her father's untimely death in 1953.

Putzi's family began coming out west to Jackson and stayed as guests at Trail Creek Ranch in Wilson in 1948. Her father wanted a place where he could come and fish in the summers, so the family purchased the Anchor Ranch in 1950. They stayed at the ranch only in the summers until her father's passing. In 1953, Putzi, along with her sister Sylvia and her mom, Jackie Hiller, made their permanent move to Wyoming.

During this time, Putzi attended Mount Holyoke College from 1950 to 1952. She continued her studies at Northwestern University and received a B.A. from there in 1955. After college, she helped Jackie run the ranch as a dude ranch in Wilson. Life in Wyoming in the 1950s was a joyous time for Putzi. Pete Mead took her up to Montana, where she bought her first horse, Coon. Coon was followed by Suki, the horse she had when she taught her daughters to ride.

The 1950s were filled with horseback trips, fly fishing, picnics, and hanging out with the boys. Jack Yokel and Archie Chambers were her two favorites. She was good friends with Mug Schultz from the Trail Creek Ranch. They spent their winters together in 1956 when all the other adults went to Italy to watch the Olympics. The winter of '57 was spent in San Francisco, possibly trying to catch on to city life, but she returned to her home in Wilson.

In 1958, through her family's friend Jim "Heidi" Cooper, she became the manager for the U.S. ski team. Her ability to speak English, French, and German earned her a spot and made her a good fit for this position. She spent the winter traveling around Europe with the team. At the very end of 1958, Putzi met John Harrington at the Stagecoach Bar, where all the skiers had gathered after a day of skiing on Teton Pass. Their engagement was announced in the Jackson Hole Guide on January 24, 1959, and they were married a month later at the Anchor Ranch, February 20.

Putzi and John were the managers of the Jackson Hole Lodge their first year of marriage, and with two young daughters making up their tiny little family, they bought the Teton Laundry in 1961. By 1965, they were the proud parents of four daughters: Kathy, Gina, Kelley, and Kim. The 1960s and '70s were Putzi's child-raising years. Jackie and Putzi's love for horses was easily passed on to the girls. The '70s were filled with Gymkhanas in the Wilson Arena, Wilson Wranglers, and all of the famous Teton County Fairs. Putzi endured countless hours sitting in the grandstands in the relentless dust and heat, watching the girls perform in every imaginable class.

When she wasn't at the fair on the weekends, she was at the lake. Jackson Lake held a very special place for Putzi. She was an absolute master at taking the boat out with the girls on Thursday night or Friday morning, and then returning back to Coulter Bay on Sunday to fetch John, who had spent countless hours underneath broken equipment at the laundry. In the fall, Yellowstone Lake was the hot spot. Putzi enjoyed fishing and camping on the lake, and of course, she was famous for her Yellowstone Lake pickled fish.

Putzi was always an amazing person at being fair. With her daughter Kelley having gotten encephalitis at the age of three, the challenge of raising a child with special needs had become more and more difficult. The challenge of raising a child with special needs did not change the course of raising all her girls to the best that they can be. She raised Kelley right along with the other girls and instilled confidence and the ability to carry Kelley throughout her life. Kelley is a very accomplished horsewoman, ice skater, backpacker, and swimmer. Fair was the rule of law in Putzi's house.

Putzi's girls were only a part of her joy. Elegant parties might have actually brought her more joy. Pie Island, on Jackson Lake, was the location of the famous yearly pig roast in August for John's birthday . And when it was covered with ice, that didn't slow the parties. Signal Mountain and Ladies Luncheons filled the long winter months. Snow, sub-zero temperatures, and limited travel did not slow Putzi. New Year's Eve parties at the Bar Double R with the Meads, the Meckhams, the Rancks, the Browns, the VandeWaters, and all the kids—that was one of her most favorite memories. Putzi piloted a snowmobile like a boss and enjoyed lots of trips through Yellowstone with the same group of adventurers.

Putzi brought her innate elegance to the ski hill as well. To watch Putzi and John ski was akin to going to a ballet on snow—two of the most beautiful skiers ever. Many, many hours were spent in the winter running the timing for the ski races for the girls, with John at the start and Putzi at the finish. Not many races were missed by the Harrington family. The girls started in Little Waxers in the '60s and ended in the '80s with the youngest racing through high school. Skiing has always been a staple in the Harrington household.

After the long, challenging years of successfully raising four girls, Putzi didn't just sit back and relax. She realized her dream of running an Airbnb in their cabins in Wilson. Throughout her career as an incredible hostess, Putzi shared her delicious food with guests from all over the world. Through her experience in the Airbnb, Putzi met the McCombers from Salt Lake City, who later became extremely close friends and will always be cherished.

After Jackie's passing in 1993, John and Putzi moved to the main house at the Anchor Ranch. Putzi's heart always remained at the ranch. Hosting family guests and putting on her elegant parties always remained a favorite activity. The golden years of living at the Anchor Ranch with John were never dull. They continued with motorhome trips, a cruise to usher in the millennium, and many trips to Alaska and Mexico. The Anchor Ranch was a place of peace and solace for Putzi. It was where she always had a part of her father and mother. Putzi's heart always remained at the Anchor Ranch.

After John's death, Putzi moved in with her youngest daughter, Kim. Six glorious years were spent between Wilson, Pinedale, and Arizona. Even though Arizona wasn't appealing to her in her younger years, Putzi very much enjoyed being there with her girls in the beautiful heat of the Arizona sun. The beautiful, beautiful, beautiful grapefruit tree in her backyard right outside her bedroom window brought her countless mornings of joy while she lived in Arizona. Putzi even got a golf cart so she could go and watch birds, which was always one of her favorite activities.

Putzi's last days were no less elegant than her life. Just nine days before she left us, we had a luncheon at her bedside. That brought her just as much joy as anything possibly could have. As the guests arrived, Sal Thorkelson said, "Putzi, how are you?" And in her standard response, she said, "I'm just fine." With that, she shared her last meal.

Putzi died nine days later, on May 17th, again in her last move of extreme elegance. Putzi departed our earth on the same exact day—May 17th—as John did six years prior.

Our lives have been filled with an immense, immense quality having been part of Putzi's life. We've learned to walk the path of elegance, fairness, love, and non-judgment. Putzi will leave a mark on every person's life who knew her. We will all miss her—and someday, we will all be reunited with her.

Putzi is survived by her daughters Kathy Harrington, Gina St. Clair (Dan Humphries), Kelley Harrington (Jacob Wagnor) and Kim Harrington. She is also survived by grandchildren Jackie St. Clair (Woodie Phal), Casey St. Clair and Gabrielle St. Clair; great grandson William St. Clair; nephew Mitchell Freeman (Kellie Freeman), Brandon Freeman (Stephanie, children Blakely, Ariah Mae, Shya Colleen), Renee Freeman (Issac Fleming), and niece Peggy Freeman.

A celebration of Life will be held on July 9th at noon @ 665 Lodgepole Lane, in East Jackson, at the Ewing residence. All welcome. In lieu of Flower please send a donation to the Jackson Senior Center.