Harriet R. Hyland, of West Hartford, passed away on November 3, 2025, after bravely facing her fourth battle with cancer.
Harriet was born in West Hartford on March 28, 1951. She attended Morley Elementary School and graduated from Hall High School in 1969. She spent the majority of her career at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, including 13 years in the Office of the Dean of the Dental School, part of a remarkable 28-year tenure. Harriet leaves behind her children and grandchildren: Daniel Hyland and his wife Meghan, and their son William of New Jersey; Lindsay Hyland and Thomas O'Brien, and Thomas' children, Isabella and Dylan of Las Vegas; Rachel Hyland and her husband Steve Ersinghaus, and Steve's son Sam of West Hartford; and Sarah Hyland and her husband Richard Rochlin, and their children Rex, Ruby, and Riley of Farmington. She is also survived by her two older brothers, Bennett Rosenstein and his wife Sheila, and their children Lori of Georgia and William of East Haddam, as well as Richard Rosenstein and his children Michael and Beth. Her brother-in-law, Richard Hyland, and his wife, Barbara, of Kenner, Louisiana, also survive her. She was predeceased by her late husband of 36 years, Robert Hyland, and her parents, David and Minnie Rosenstein.
A three-time cancer survivor, Harriet became a strong advocate for cancer awareness. She was a caring and selfless person who loved connecting with friends and family over home-cooked meals. Harriet had a deep love for animals and, over the years, was devoted to her four dogs, Molly, Charlie, Bailey, and Val, and her two cats, Isabel and Maddie. Memorial contributions may be made to an animal charity of the donor's choice or to St. Jude’s's Children's Research Hospital.
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