Harriette Sklar, whose warmth turned brief encounters into lasting friendships, passed away June 9, 2014, in Denver. She was 90. Rabbi Isaac Wasserman and Cantor Joel Lichterman officiated at the June 11 graveside service at Emanuel Cemetery. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Harriette collected people like some people collect stamps, says her daughter Andrea Hyatt. She had a knack for drawing them in while also drawing them out, and made people feel at home in her presence.
She was a woman of refinement, a classy lady with an elegance and a style all her own; a wise woman whose priorities were always in the right place; a woman of strength and determination, with a clear sense of her values.
She enriched the lives of her family and friends. She touched their souls, filled their hearts with love and their tummies with delicious food . . . She was extraordinary in so many ways.
Harriette Gelfand Sklar was born March 27, 1924, in Brooklyn, to George and Mildred Gelfand. She was the middle sister of the late Betty Steinberg and Reva Rivkin.
At age 16, Harriette met Max Sklar in Jersey City, NJ. After serving overseas in WW II, Max came home and married his sweetheart on March 25, 1945. They were together for 61 years.
The couple moved to Denver in 1953 and opened Guys and Dolls, the legendary baby furniture and toy store on East Colfax.
Harriette added a new dimension to the business in the 1960s when she created a baby and toddler clothing boutique in the store. For 10 years she managed and decorated the department, which attracted customers from all over the country.
Members of the New York Merchandise Mart praised her as an astute buyer with a keen business sense.
Harriette was the lady in pearls and pumps, Andrea says. Her big round glasses were her trademark and suited her perfectly.
A fluent Yiddish speaker, she often repeated Gabenchted zenen da hent vus ken alayn teein, Blessed are the hands that can do for themselves, particularly in her later years after rheumatoid arthritis crippled her hands.
Yeshiva Toras Chaim honored Harriette and Max in 2000. Eight years later, Harriette was honored as the Rose of the Year.
Max passed away on May 4, 2006.
Not long before her death, Harriette told her daughter, Ive had a wonderful life. . . If you will it and you want it, you can do it.
Mrs. Sklar is survived by daughters Andrea (Jack) Hyatt and Lauren (the late Andy) Hudak; grandchildren Hope and Alyson Hyatt; brother-in-law Len Rivkin; and nephew Barton (Marci) Rivkin.
Contributions may be made to Yeshiva Toras Chaim or BMH-BJ.
Copyright © 2014 by the Intermountain Jewish News
