C.J. Katenback (12 year old)

 

Sometimes someone comes into your life for a brief period of time and changes it forever. I know because Harriet changed mine. I was three when I met Harriet. Truthfully, all I remember is that each week mom and I visited Harriet for fun and games. Within a couple of years, we stopped our weekly visits. It was only then that I realized that Harriet was not just one of my mom’s friends. She was my teacher. She opened her home and her heart to make me feel special and smart.

​

Harriet just didn’t teach a little boy to pronounce words. She taught me that nothing is too difficult if you try. I use that lesson every day. She also gave me something deeper, something special. I think I only began to understand this special gift when I was in fourth grade. It was that year that I won a city-wide poetry contest about being a friend. I remember the judge telling me that my piece had "such voice". It did. It was Harriet’s voice.

​

I cannot imagine how sad Dr. Needleman and his sons are right now knowing they will never hear her voice again. I cried too. Harriet’s presence may have been stolen from us, but Harriet’s voice can never be silenced. In my heart and the hearts of the hundreds of children she taught, her voice will live forever.

 

P.S. Howard - I can’t say anything more profound than that. I do hear her "voice" every day giving me advise on a myriad of subjects; large and small. This also closely follows the sentiment on a card I received with the line, "Those who have given of themselves to others live forever within the hearts of those they’ve touched".

 

 

 

 

Bob Arceci

11/14/00

 

We are so sad to hear of Harriet. We do remember her so very well. In fact, she was the one who taught Andrew to first say "orange." The day he learned how to say it, that's all we heard during the entire trip home. It is weird, but we were recounting this just two days before I received your email. But it goes to show how incredible Harriet was and how she does continues to make a difference in so many lives. Thank you so much for sharing your thought and the very touching and so terribly true commentaries. We will continue to think of her and the gift she passed on to us.

With warm personal regards,

Bob Arceci, MD  Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Johns Hopkins

 

 

Karen Brown

 

Dear Dr. Needleman,

 

I just want to tell you how very sorry I am to hear about Harriet's death.  I did not know her for all that long but I can't tell you how much I truly liked her and how glad I was to have finally found a speech therapist for Jonathan that worked with him the way she did.  We went through many difficulties and hardships with the school system in Needham for speech.  Someone recommended that we go privately and try Harriet.  For the first time I spoke to her I felt positive and comfortable with her abilities.  In the beginning of the sessions that my son had I used to listen through the door.  I told Harriet several times how the sessions were one of the most enjoyable hours of my week; not only listening to her help Jonathan but also the great amusement I got from how she dealt with him. She used just the right mixture of love and discipline with him.  Jonathan absolutely adored her; she even said to him once that he enjoyed coming so much she was going to have to make it more unpleasant or he would never finish speech.  When she got sick I realized just how much Jonathan cared for her and how much we both missed her.  He never forgot her even when we went to a new therapist and was always asking if she was better yet so that he could go back to her.  I am so glad that we did get to see her two more times this fall; she seemed herself totally to me, (which must have taken great strength and courage on her part) and immediately picked up with Jonathan where we had left off.  I am grateful to have known her and especially grateful that she was part of my son's life.

 

Karen Brown

 

 

Amanda Dickerson

 

(Note: Amanda Dickerson's children are patients of mine.  She lost one son from a rare congenital disorder which her youngest son Kip, to whom she refers to in this note, also suffers from.)

 

November 23, 1999

 

Dear Howard,

I've written this letter several times, but none have been "right".  But now it is getting on to Thanksgiving time, and this will be an empty-felling time for your family, I imagine.  So, I not going to let any more time pass without telling you how sorry we have been for all that you, Harriet, and the boys have had to endure during the past year.  And, how sad we are now, over Harriet's death.

Four and a half years since she and Kip worked together, and he still points out your street if we are driving on High Rock.  Her presence is still part of our lives - the way she'd question him, "Now Kip, is that a cool bus or school bus" and her intonations are all parts of Harriet that are embedded in us.  She was so creative!

As you know, Harriet made a solid and lasting impression on everyone.  And so. when a death like Harriet's seems so untimely, I wonder... I'm sure you do, too.  That wondering may be something you carry with you all your life.  And, I think that it is OK because it may help to give you a spiritual focus - almost a gift that you are given. (I'm not talking about the "why - Harriet-, it's not fair thing".)  But the meaning and energy behind all of life's forces what God is, what our time here is for, what Harriet's purpose was - I believe that once we have experiences so intimately an untimely death, we are forever changed in that we always carry those questions somewhere near the front of our consciousness.  And, we will never nail down the answers - and that's OK, too!

Please accept my rambling on, and know that we are praying for your family,

 

With love,

Amanda Dickerson

 

 

Elissa Goldman

 

This is just a sorry note about the Best English touder Harriet.  Well I just want to say sorry about your wife!  She was an awesome women.  At first reading was hard for me, it is because of her, I have a strait A English grade in school.  Well, I feel really sorry and I want to say, I'll always have her in my heart!  Hope you feel better.

 

Love your sorry patient,

Elissa Goldman

 

P.S. - I'm coming for a checkup soon and I hope I don't need braces.

 

 

Yvett A. Morton

 

October 18, 1999

 

…. We were two teachers in Brighton without a classroom (reminiscent of a “Man without a Country”), and so we found ourselves “exiled” to the same makeshift room for the entire school year (~1974).  Harriet taught speech and language in one corner, and I taught remedial reading in another.  Also, we were both native New Yorkers, and we got on very well.  Harriet had a great New York sense of humor, which I really appreciated.

 

If it is any consolation to you, I want to tell you that I have been thinking about Harriet and you and your family.  It is an enormous loss for you all.  It is alarming to thin of young, vivacious women taken away so suddenly.  It’s alarming and terribly sad….

 

Yvett A. Morton

 

 

Marcia & Mark Rosenthal

 

Dear Howie, Joel & Jesse,

 

I have struggled for weeks about writing this note to let you know what an amazing lose it is to have Harriet gone.

    As you know, she was an incredible woman of warmth, positive visions, and a rare gift of love for all.  The children she recommended from her practice sparkled with the assurance that speech therapy would be "just as much fun as with their friend Harriet."  I never quite knew whether I met their expectations.

    Her talent as both a speech therapist and a wonderful, sensitive woman and friend was cherished by so many.

    I remember being a young mother with our respective babies and toddlers.  Never losing her sense of humor, she would kindly but firmly remind Joel that Jesse did not like the ice cream in his hair.

    There are many wonderful memories and Harriet will forever remain in our hearts.  Mark joins me in sending our thoughts, prayers, and sorrow at your loss.

 

Our love,

Marcia & Mark Rosenthal

 

 

Robin Slonim

 

Dear Howard Needleman and Family,

Hello.  My daughter received speech and language therapy from Harriet for about a year.  Harriet also did a follow-up speech evaluation on her a year or so later.  My daughter, Melanie, has PDD/Autism Spectrum Disorder.

    Yesterday, I received your letter about the funds being set up in memory of Harriet.  I could not have been more shocked and sadden at the news of her death.  I took my daughter to Harriet when she was almost 4 and was not speaking in complete sentences.  After watching her fail in the public school systems intervention classroom, I watch Harriet help her blossom.  She began  making requests in full sentences - " I want the ball.:  Harriet taught me to walk around commenting on everything I was doing, "I drink, I get water, I eat sandwich etc."  I began to see Melanie verbalize more - use many more verbs.  Over the course of time, I knew Harriet provided me with the assurance, encouragement and the support I needed that Melanie would become conversational.  She told me it would take a long time.  I hoped for the day when I would be able to tell/show Harriet my fully conversations child.  Unfortunately, that day will never come.  

Please know that Harriet will remain in my memory forever as she did when she lived.  Many years have passed, and much additional intervention has yielded much additional improvement in my child's language but I will always credit Harriet with that initial breakthrough.

I wish you the best to you and your family,  

 

Sincerely,

Robin Slonim

 

P.S. All the children who have lost Harriet's services share in your loss.

 

 

Michael Snyder

 

Dear Howie,

 

    I am so sorry to hear about Harriet.  She was a very caring and loving woman.  She lived her life to the fullest and I know when my mom was around her, Harriet made my mom that much happier. I remember seeing her this summer at our Cape house.  Despite the strength and energy, she may have had she was still willing, ready and able to go shopping and have a good time with "the girls".  Of course, she always had a smile on her face.

    Despite what some people think, or may say, if it wasn't for the two of you I would not be the person I am today.  You, of course, kept my teeth clean and looking sharp, while Harriet taught me how to talk.  She made me speak louder, pronounce y syllables, speak slowly.  When I used to go to her for help I used to hate it, and I can admit I probably had some hatred towards her.  I shortly later realized that if it wasn't for her I'd be a mumbling fool that even with my good looked probably wouldn't be able to get a date.

    I sure hope she knows how appreciative I am of her and you, although you were both just doing your job, somehow I think when it's a family friend it goes beyond just doing your job, it's about helping make your friend kids better people.

    I know that I will never forget Harriet because of how wonderful a person she was. Plus, if it weren't for her, I'd be speechless, literally.  Be strong, and take care of yourself, we're all thinking and praying for you,

 

Love,

Michael

 

 

Susan W. Whitman

 

Dear Dr. Needleman,

 

I wanted to write to tell you the many ways Harriet affected our lives.

When we first moved back up here from Virginia, I realized that Lily had a speech problem. I asked around and everybody told me that Harriet Needleman was the best, and that if I was lucky I would be able to have her work with Lily. The first time I met Harriet I was impressed by her no-nonsense approach with Lily. Because of Lily’s neurological problems (which I did not know of then), she would collapse in tears or refuse to do things. Harriet got this under control early on and developed a great working relationship with our daughter. Lily always looked forward to going to see Harriet and came to truly love her.

There were many nights when Harriet would call me or I would call her and she would happily spend 45 minutes brainstorming about Lily. When Lily began kindergarten, Harriet came to the I.E.P. meetings with me as an advocate for Lily. She made sure the school had a well-organized and personalized plan to suit Lily’s needs. This was all very new to me, and having Harriet be there made me feel confident that Lily would get the services she so desperately needed.

Eighteen month ago, when we had Lily fully evaluated by a neuropsychologist, the results were devastating. I shared them with Harriet, in tears. Harriet refused to accept the low cognitive ability diagnosis and insisted that Lily was at least of average intelligence. This was like a light in the darkness which I could see to lead me out of a very difficult time. I knew Harriet was a direct person and that she would not say this to me unless she firmly believed it. Harriet never approved of us sending Lily to the Learning Prep School in Newton. All her reasons were good ones, and Lily spent only one year there.

I am not sure what Harriet thought of the home-schooling program which we instituted this year for Lily. However, she was open-minded enough to listen to our ideas without rejecting them out-of-hand. At the beginning of September, Harriet told my husband, "I don’t know what you’re doing with Lily, but, whatever it is, keeping doing it." From Harriet, this was quite a dramatic statement and gave our entire household a sense of exhilaration.

Harriet was the first member of Lily’s team and the person to whom we always turned for advice and counsel. Her passing has left a hole in our hearts. She will be remembered forever with great love and respect. She is irreplaceable.

 

Sincerely,

Susan W. Whitman