Harriett Dekker

1942 - 2025

Harriett Dekker
10/4/2025
Harriett Dekker died peacefully in her sleep on October 4, 2025, at her longtime home in Greenwich, CT. She was 83.
Born Harriett Gromb on March 1, 1942, in Brooklyn, NY, to Rachel (Rae) Bershinsky and Jack Gromb, Harriett grew up in Douglaston, Queens. A gifted student, she graduated early from high school at sixteen, earned her BA from Queens College, and went on to receive her master's degree in Educational Psychology from New York University.
In 1967, Harriett married Marcel Dekker, founder and President of Marcel Dekker, Inc. In 1971, they moved from Manhattan to Greenwich to raise their three children. Harriett worked as both a teacher and an administrative director for organizations supporting children and adults with special needs. In the late 1980s, Harriett pivoted her career, taking courses in Psychology and Graphology at the New School for Social Research and receiving her certification in Graphology in 1991 and founded Professional Insight, Inc., a human resources consultancy specializing in personnel selection. She led in the capacity of President until her retirement in 2004.
In 1992, Harriett was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. One of the early recipients of a deep brain stimulator, she lived with the illness for more than four decades, meeting its challenges with courage, determination, and a constant search for new treatments and ways to live fully.
Remarkable for her intellect, curiosity, and gift for human connection, Harriett had wide-ranging interests - literature, art, cinema, fashion, and psychology. As an avid reader and lifelong learner, she was admired for her progressiveness, sharp memory, and ability to ask insightful questions. People felt drawn to her warmth and wisdom, often opening up in ways that surprised even themselves.
When Marcel passed away in 2021, Harriett continued to find joy and purpose living independently at home, surrounded by the love and support of family and friends. Though her physical condition declined, her mind and spirit remained unshakably strong.
Harriett's greatest joy was her family. She shared especially close relationships with her children and grandchildren, who cherished her love, guidance, and strength. She also formed deep bonds with friends and her devoted care team, who became an extension of her family.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses - Russell and Deborah Dekker of Armonk, NY; David and Jennifer Dekker of Big Sky, MT and Edgartown, MA; and Jacqueline and Alan Selkin of Armonk, NY - as well as nine beloved grandchildren: Benjamin, Hannah, Lauren, Zachary, Nina, Jason, Gregory, Sophie, and Olivia.
Harriett's family is deeply grateful to her many caregivers, especially Dr. Amar Patel of Yale Neurology for his steady guidance and compassionate care throughout her illness. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to: Office of Development Yale New Haven Hospital, PO BOX 1849, New Haven, CT 06508-1849 and please specify in the memo section "Parkinson's Disease Research Fund".