58 | FEBRUARY 17 • 2022 

H

arriet Schiff, 86, died 
in the loving presence 
of family on Feb. 8, 
2022. 
She was born in the Bronx, 
N.Y., to Helen (Rubenstein) 
and Reb Irving Sarnoff. When 
she was 5, the family moved 
to Detroit, where Harriet 
lived until two months before 
her death. Her 
parents frequently 
offered hospitality 
to Holocaust survi-
vors as they reset-
tled in the United 
States. Bearing 
witness to their 
stories left a lasting 
impression on her.
Harriet attended 
school in Detroit, 
where, at Central 
High School at age 16, she 
met Sander (Sandy) Schiff. 
Harriet turned 18 on their 
honeymoon. They were mar-
ried for 53 years. Through 
struggles and joyous times, 
Harriet and Sandy, both 
strong-willed, faced life with 
determination. Sander died in 
2006 with Harriet by his side. 
They have three children, 
Dale; a daughter by marriage, 
Sharon of Dayton, Ohio; the 
late Robert; Chava (Stacie); 
and son by marriage, Karl 
Bahle of Suttons Bay, Mich.
The death of Sandy and 
Harriet’s son Robby in 1968, 
when Harriet was a writer for 
the Detroit News, launched 
her book writing career with 
The Bereaved Parent, the first 
book to address the issues 
of parents who survive their 
children. 
For many years, she and 
Sandy traveled the world to 
work with doctors, nurses, 
funeral directors and psy-

chologists on how to help 
families whose children had 
died. She went on to write 
Living through Mourning: 
Finding Comfort and Hope 
When a Loved One Has 
Died, and The Support Group 
Manual: A Session-By-Session 
Guide. She authored two 
novels, Wellspring and Love’s 
Journey. Her books 
were translated into 
several languages 
and touched the 
lives of hundreds of 
thousands of peo-
ple. 
Harriet’s depth 
of compassion 
prompted her to 
return to work 
in her 60s. While 
working with staff 
and marketing in nursing 
homes, she authored How 
Did I Become My Parent’s 
Parent, based on her keen 
awareness of the challenging 
dynamics for adult children 
caring for aging parents. She 
presented signed copies to 
her children saying, “Here are 
your instructions.”
Harriet was a beloved 
daughter, sister, wife, mother, 
sister-in-law and aunt to her 
nieces and nephews, who 
adored her and remained 
in touch to the end of her 
life. Her grandchildren, 
Robyn (Paul) Revelson and 
Samantha (Josh) Beren, were 
the delights of her life. Robyn 
and Paul’s children, Jacob (7) 
and Jocelyn (5), enjoyed a 
close and truly special rela-
tionship with Harriet. 
To Harriet’s many friends, 
the family wishes to thank 
you for all the love, joy and 
support you gave her for 
many years. Strong, deep 

An Author of 
Consolation

Harriet Schiff

You can honor the memory of a loved one in a most meaningful way
by sponsoring a day of Torah learning at Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. 

During the coming week, Kaddish will be said for these departed souls during the daily minyan at 
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah. Your support of the Torah learning of our children and our Kollel’s Torah 
Scholars brings immeasurable heavenly merit. Please call us at 248-557-6750 for more information.

Some days seem to last forever…
We’re offering one that actually will.

School for Boys 
School for Boys • Beth Jacob School for Girls 
 Beth Jacob School for Girls • Bais Yehudah Preschool
 Bais Yehudah Preschool

Weiss Family Partners Detroit 
Weiss Family Partners Detroit • Kollel Bais Yehudah 
 Kollel Bais Yehudah • Maalot Detroit
 Maalot Detroit

P
.O. Box 2044 
P
.O. Box 2044 • Southfield, MI 48037
 Southfield, MI 48037• 248-557-6750 
 248-557-6750 • www.YBY.org
 www.YBY.org

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