Harriet Frances Rubin, 83, died Monday, May 10, 2021 at her home in Seminole, Florida, after a battle with multiple myeloma. Del Filardi, her love of 53 years, was by her side.
Harriet was born in Boston, MA on September 3, 1937. She earned a B.S. degree from Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. After college, she taught physical education and health in Pelham, NY. Del Filardi was teaching health and physical education in Rye, NY. In 1968, Harriet and Del met at a field hockey play day. Harriet’s department head was there, and told Harriet, “you have to meet Del Filardi -- you’ll love her.” And she did, and then it all began. They became an item, living together in Greenwich, CT.
Ten years later, they moved to Wellfeet, MA. They founded the Blue Heron Gallery in 1978, which they owned/operated for twenty years. They first shared a living space with the Gallery, and the Blue Heron grew in size and stature to become known as one of Cape Cod’s finest galleries. Many of their customers became their friends. The Gallery’s growth and success literally forced the couple to move out. In the early ‘90’s, they built a beautiful home overlooking the Pamet River in Truro, MA, where they lived for nearly 30 years. They were married in 2004, when it became legal, in a quiet ceremony on their deck in Truro, overlooking the Pamet.
Harriet and Del bought their first Florida place in the early ‘80’s. They wintered in Madeira Beach and Seminole until they moved year-round to Lake Seminole Square in 2019.
Throughout their time on the Cape, both Harriet and Del pursued the arts that they loved: Harriet as a potter and Del as a sculptor. The couple became fixtures of the community - especially the arts community - as mentors and philanthropists.
Harriet loved tennis, travel, photography, and bike riding. She especially enjoyed her daily walks to Pamet Harbor. On her way back home, she always picked a flower and a pinecone as her gift for her honey, Del.
Harriet is survived by her beloved spouse, Del Filardi (Florida), her brother and sister-in-law Norm Rubin and Wendy Dicker (Canada), nieces Kimi Beaven and Nancy Myrick, nephew David Myrick; grand-niece Sonali Beaven, grand-nephew Keshava Kaipaka (all from California); and her beloved cat, Duchess. She is predeceased by her parents, Gertrude and Morris Rubin; sister Miki and nephew John.
Donations in Harriet’s name can be made to Truro Center for the Arts (PO Box 756, Truro, MA 02666), Wellfleet Preservation Hall (335 Main St., Wellfleet, MA 02667) or Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care (17757 US Highway 19 No, Suite 175, Clearwater, FL 33764-6564.)
Del wishes to thank the staff of Lake Seminole Square, Bayshore Home Care and Seasons Hospice for their constant care of Harriet.
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