Harriet Kaye Howard

1925 - 2016

Howard, Harriet Kaye
Harriet Kaye Howard passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 23 at the age of 90. She was born November 3, 1925, in New York City, the daughter of Max Nagin and Jeanette Hindin. Harriet's parents both came to America from Russia. Harriet grew up in New York City and held several jobs including that of sales woman at Saks Fifth Avenue and secretary at the Salvation Army. She met her first husband, Jerome, an accountant, when he came to do the books at the clothing factory where she was employed as an office worker. They married and moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, where Jerry opened his own accounting practice. Harriet always held special memories of life in Lynchburg, where she was active in the community and in Hadassah and board governance at the synagogue. The couple and their three children, Billie, Lenard, and Bradley, moved to the Riverdale section of the Bronx, in New York City in the late 1960's. Harriet and Jerome divorced several years later. She married her second husband, Sol Howard, and lived with him on Long Island for several years. They retired to West Palm Beach, Florida, where they lived the high-rise condo life, survived several hurricanes, enjoyed the beach, and exercised in the swimming pool regularly. After Sol's death, Harriet remained in Florida for a brief period and then moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, to be near her family. It was there that she met John Leh, her "true love" at The Springs of Scottsdale, a senior community where they both resided. They remained inseparable, enjoying family gatherings, movies, concerts, and dinners out until his death less than a year ago. Harriet lived large. She was stylish, outgoing, the life of the party, and a talented artist who was gifted with an especially steady hand. Still-life watercolors were her specialty. Her art buttressed her emotionally and spiritually through difficult times. She was a fine seamstress and decorator. She made pillows and throws and would proudly let you know that she sold many to Hammacher Schlemmer at $150 a set in the 1960s. Harriet dealt with her four-month battle with brain cancer with grace, patience, and good humor. Her strong will persisted throughout. She loved family gatherings and kissed and hugged with passion. Harriet valued greatly the lifelong friendships of a small circle of long-time and newly-made lady friends. She worked hard to establish a new life when she moved to Scottsdale at age 82. She especially enjoyed playing bridge with her friends. Toward the end, she counted on the support of the Hospice of the Valley team and on her dedicated private caregivers, especially Francis Ofahulu, Mafi Vaki, and Fusipala Vakameilalo. Harriet's family will be eternally grateful for their expertise and compassion at the end of her life. She is survived by three children, Billie Kull (David) of Scottsdale, Arizona, Lenard Wayne Kaye (Dyan Walsh) of Orono, Maine, and Bradley Steven Kaye (Fanny Young) of San Mateo, California; four grandchildren, Jennifer Kull (Eric Noel), Benjamin Kull (Kara Lipson), Lindsay Alison Kaye, and Nicholas James Kaye; and two great-grandchildren, Lily B. Noel and Avery K. Noel. Harriet also had several nieces and nephews and was especially close with her niece, DeBorah Nagin. She was predeceased by her brother, Herbert Nagin. A small gathering of family and friends will be held on February 7, 2016
to celebrate Harriet's life. Her family would appreciate donations to the "Hope Starts Here Campaign" for cancer research at Banner Health or to Hospice of the Valley, both in Phoenix.