Harriett I. (Isaacs) Gelb

Harriett I. Gelb, 102, of Scranton, PA, died Saturday morning in Geisinger Community Medical Center.   She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carl A. Gelb, on May 10, 1992.

Born in Scranton on August 10, 1922, Harriett was the daughter of the late Samuel and Celia Adler Isaacs. She was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and continued her studies at Lackawanna Business College. Before her marriage, Harriett worked for her uncle, Manuel Isaacs, owner of the Scranton Talk, a department store in downtown Scranton. Later, when her children were in high school, Harriett worked assisting her husband, Carl, in his real estate business. 

Harriett’s life was full and rich with love, laughter, friends, and, most of all, family. She particularly enjoyed traveling to Atlanta, GA, and New Haven, CT, to be with her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She shared a birthday with great-granddaughter, Siham, born 94 years apart. Every year, the family gathered to celebrate the birthday girls’ special day together; it was pure joy. 

Harriett was a member of Temple Israel and its Sisterhood, as well as a life member of Hadassah, and a longtime member of the Jewish Community Center in Scranton. She was an avid reader and made weekly visits to the library. At least twice a week, she played mahjong with friends. 

Learning to drive when she was 65, Harriett loved the freedom it gave her. After her husband died, when she was nearly 70, she began traveling extensively, often with her dear friend Irene Ruffman. The two globetrotted from Europe to Alaska to the Mediterranean. On 9/11, Harriett and Irene found themselves stranded for many days in Istanbul! Over her life, she also delighted in trips to New York City to shop and catch the latest Broadway shows.  

Harriett’s family is grateful to her caregivers—Meghan Drag, Debbie Amico, Amanda Marie Ormes, Paula Guse, Heather Valenzano, and Tabitha Cordova—for their devoted support and compassion over the past few years. Their care and attention enabled Harriett to remain in her home as she aged.

The family thanks Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, Nicole Flynn, Dr. Jignesh Sheth, Colleen Dougherty, and the amazing medical team at the Wright Center for Community Health for their excellent and loving care for Harriett. Thanks also to Drs. Kristina Tanovic and Ivan Cvorovic for their brilliance and kindness over the years. 

Surviving is her daughter Cynthia (Cindy) Gelb and husband Matt Mason of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Kimberly White Horowitz, Wallingford, CT; Justin S. White and wife Rita Hamad, Brookline, MA, and Ashley White Brzezinski, Wallingford, CT; great-grandchildren Siham and Layal White-Hamad, and Noah, Elijah, Micah, and Isaiah Brzezinski, and their father Tim.

In addition to her parents and husband, Harriett was preceded in death by her eldest daughter, Betsy Gelb White Claro in 2015, and her brother Herbert Isaacs.  

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, March 11th at 11 a.m. in the Temple Israel Cemetery, West Warren Street, Dunmore, by Cantor Vladimir Aronzon.  

There is no local shiva.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Harriett’s memory may be made to Temple Israel of Scranton, 918 E. Gibson Street, Scranton, PA 18510; or to the donor’s favorite charity.