Harriet Friis (1932-2026)

Harriet Friis brings an artifact for OCHS Show & Tell Night, 2013 (Photo by author)

Orange County's local history community has suffered another difficult loss. Harriet Jane Lampert Friis passed away on July 5th, 2026. 

Professionally, Harriet was a librarian for the Long Beach Public Library system. She loved travel and was active in many community organizations and activities, from PEO, to the Orange Union High School reunions, to her home-away-from-home: Trinity Episcopal Church of Orange. She was known for her warmth, wit and kindness. She was helpful to all and a remarkable pillar of strength as caregiver to her husband, J. J. "Jim" Friis, in his final years. 

Many in the Orange County Historical Society remember Harriet as the friendly face that greeted everyone at the door at each meeting. Over the decades, she also served on the OCHS board, hosted board meetings in her home, provided refreshments at general meetings (Remember the OCHS citrus punch?), arranged a wonderful home for the Society at Trinity Episcopal, and helped in countless other ways. 

J. J. and his father, attorney and historian Leo Friis, owned and operated Friis-Pioneer Press (originally called Pioneer Press), which published not only a wide array of "vanity press" titles, but also a large number of important Orange County history titles. It was, of course, impossible for Harriet to avoid becoming involved at some level in the family business.

Harriet and J. J. were also familiar faces at the events of other historical organizations, from the Native Sons of the Golden West to the Old Courthouse Museum Society. 

No, Harriet Friis was not a published historian. But she was genuinely interested, and for more than half a century she provided critical support that helped keep local history work alive in Orange County.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm, July 16th, 2026 at (of course) Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., Orange. Donations to the American Heart Association or to other charities have been requested in lieu of flowers.