Harriet (Geffen) Gelinson was born January 21, 1942 in Suffern, NY to Mae (Reich) and Ralph Geffen. She passed away on February 16, 2023 in in Virginia Beach. She was 81.

Harriet graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta with a Bachelor’s in early childhood education. Inspired by her love for children, Harriet purchased and ran the Jeffersonville (NY) Nursery School in Sullivan County for five years. 

After moving to Cobleskill, NY she worked as an instructor at the Schoharie County ARC before transitioning to the Schoharie County Head Start and continuing on with the Sullivan County Head Start following their move back to Sullivan County in 1988 until her retirement in 2010. In her high school years, she met who would be her future husband of 58 years, Ira. They married in August 1964, and then went on to have two daughters, Robin, born in 1968, and Marcy, in 1970. Together over the years they enjoyed traveling and developing friendships in the communities they lived. Harriet and Ira moved to the Atlantic Shores Retirement Community located in Virginia Beach, VA in July 2021. 

Harriet loved spending her time knitting, gardening and spoiling her five grandchildren. Harriet leaves behind her devoted husband Ira, daughters Robin (Ron) Zalben, granddaughters Hadassa, Ariella, Michal, and Tehila of Jerusalem Israel; Marcy (Andrew Gottehrer) Gelinson of Virginia Beach, VA, and granddaughter Lily Sorbello. In addition, she is survived by her two sisters Adele Geffen Eil and Phyllis Zavatsky and three nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Employee Appreciation fund of Atlantic Shores, which has provided tremendous care and support during their time at Atlantic Shores. Donations can be made as well to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Burial was in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, VA on February 16, 2023.