Longtime summer resident Harriet Glanville left the Whitefish Community Library a bequest of $198,000 upon her death on Jan. 1.

“This is once again a testimony to the generosity of this community,” library Director Joey Kositzky said in a news release. “There are so many people that we are grateful for, not only for monetary support, but for volunteerism and in-kind donations.  Harriet is another example of how their generosity benefits an entire community, especially those who use the library.”

Born on Aug. 23, 1927, in Mason City, Iowa, Glanville moved to Long Beach, Calif., in 1938. She graduated from Long Beach Poly High, received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and went on to earn her teaching certification from Long Beach State.

Glanville became a physical education instructor at Paramount Junior High School and played golf competitively during the summers or in her free time.

In addition to the Whitefish Community Library, all three of her educational institutions benefitted from charitable contributions from her estate, specifically earmarked for the women’s golf programs.

She had a long career as a golfer, qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur 14 times and playing in the U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur. In 2000, Glanville was inducted into the Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame.

After retiring from teaching, Glanville decided to spend her summers in Whitefish to enjoy golf in Northwest Montana and be closer to her cousin Tom Glanville and his wife. Peggy, also avid golfers.  

Harriet Glanville never married or had children and lived with her mother until her mother died in 1987.