Harriet S. Lynn

Harriet Lynn (nee Silverman) passed away on March 23, 2024. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years, Robert, her three children Annie Lynn (Walter Wilczewski), Jonathan/Jake Lynn (Suzanne) and Joshua Lynn (Christine), and her five grandchildren: Alexander Wilczewski, Emily Lynn, Zoe Lynn, Isabella Lynn, and Zachary Lynn. 

Harriet loved life and enjoyed sharing her passions with others, whether through food, travel, or visiting with friends and family. She learned to cook after marrying Bob in 1957, while living on an Air Force base in Michigan. She loved it so much she founded a catering company in the early 1970s and taught cooking classes at night school. Cooking and entertaining were always ways she showed her love for others. Harriet and Bob traveled the world, exploring and savoring diverse cultures, meeting new people, and making lifelong friends. 

Harriet’s biggest passion was teaching. For more than 30 years, she taught English as a Second Language at the Jewish Educational & Vocational Service’s Center for New Americans in Northeast Philadelphia. Through her volunteer and paid work with JEVS and in private homes and libraries, she welcomed generations of immigrants into the United States, starting with the wave of Soviet Jews in the 1970s. She served as their portal to America, guiding them into their new lives, new communities and finding jobs. Harriet befriended countless Russian, Ukrainian, Hmong, and Vietnamese families, celebrating weddings, baby naming’s, b’nai mitzvot, graduations, and more with so many families who could not imagine their lives without her presence, love, and support. 

Harriet believed strongly in the value of education for her family as well. She celebrated and supported each of her children’s and grandchildren’s journeys through school toward whatever careers to which they aspired. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Funeral Services, Tuesday, 1 PM precisely at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Raphael-Sacks, 6410 N. Broad St., Phila., PA Int. Montefiore Cem. Shiva will be observed at her late residence. Contributions in her memory may be made to Elkins Park Free Library, https://cheltenhamlibraries.org/locations-hours/elkins-park/