She was born at the family home in Neath, PA on November 13, 1922. She was the daughter of Albert M. and Mary J. Davis. Harriet graduated from LeRaysville High School in LeRaysville, PA. After high school, she graduated from Ridley Lowell Business School, Binghamton, NY.
She worked at the Montrose Independent newspaper until her marriage on June 19, 1948 to Vernon A. Haire of Lawton, PA. They had 43 happy years together until his passing in January of 1991. They together raised two sons and she was a lifelong member of the Neath Welsh Congregational Church.