Harriet Graylin Dies At 57
By Space Coast Daily // July 11, 2012
obituary
Harriet Graylin, a Special Education Teacher for 32 years in Brevard County, passed away on May 2, 2012 at 57 years of age.
She was born on Oct. 10, 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
She was the only child of Sydney and Evelyn Gendelman. Harriet is survived by numerous Aunts, Uncles and cousins, as well as her spiritual family and a host of close friends and associates who love her.
In Harriet’s teenage years, she went to a high school in southwest Miami that was also attended by several members of the Miccosukee tribe, some of whom became her close friends. Through these friendships, Harriet came to understand how much suffering Native Americans have undergone, both culturally and in their struggles as individuals and families.
Harriet felt deeply pained at the injustices they experience. She came to ardently admire their courage, and found she identified closely with their cultural respect for the natural world.
It was while she was attending Florida International University in Miami-Dade that she began studying the bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. She was baptized in 1977, and was a zealous Bible teacher throughout the rest of her life.
She graduated from Florida International University and received her B.S. to be a Special Education Teacher. Her sense of empathy was clear in her choice to focus efforts on young people that were emotionally or developmentally disadvantaged, and really needed extra help.
Harriet was their greatest supporter and advocate. She worked for 32 years as a Special Education teacher in Brevard County, retiring only two years ago.
She was many things. She was a talented musician and songwriter. Harriet was a devoted caretaker and best friend to her mom Evelyn. She was an educator and a zealous supporter of her special kids.
Harriet was an empathetic, loyal friend to many. In later years, Harriet wrote articles that were published in several magazines relating to health and nutrition. But her true passion was teaching others what she had learned from the Scriptures.
She knew that helping people understand our current situation, our future, and to draw close to Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ was the highest and best thing that she could ever hope to offer others.
