Obituary of Harriet P. Karassik

KARASSIK—Harriet P. (née Petrynek), 88, died peacefully on November 23, 2022. A first generation American, Harriet was born on April 30, 1934, to Regina and Seymour Petrynek, who arrived from Poland leading up to a dark time in history. Harriet grew up in the Bronx and went to City College to become an English teacher. She and her beloved husband, Irwin, raised their daughters in Jackson Heights, NY, and Harriet taught for many years at Forest Hills High School. She enjoyed driving nice cars, travelling the world with Irwin, and was a New York Times crossword puzzle afficionado. Harriet was known for her intense love of and devotion to her baseball team, the Mets. She could discuss details of their history, games, and statistics with the best of them. She was always sad when baseball season ended. Harriet was brilliant and had an eidetic memory. She was blunt and straightforward, yet warm and affectionate to everyone. Her inner strength and resolve were clear and manifested in her overcoming many obstacles along the way. She was predeceased by her husband, Irwin Karassik; her parents, Seymour and Regina Petrynek; her sister, Edith Spilka; and her grandson, Spencer Curry. She leaves behind her loving daughters, Beth Karassik (Gary LeBeau) and Lauren Karassik Weiss and son-in-law Stephen Weiss; her grandchildren, Sam Curry and Lindsay and Shelby Weiss; and nieces and nephews, Vicki Roosevelt, Matthew Nadler, Gail Mayers and Bennett and Steven Karassik, as well as her step-nieces and nephews Marc, Adam, Ellen and Abby Spilka, and their father, Seymour. Friends and family will hold her in their hearts forever and ever.

Donations can be made to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

Graveside funeral service is planned Sunday, November 27, 11am, at Mt. Hebron Cemetery, 130-04 Horace Harding Expressway, Flushing, Queens.

Arrangements are under the direction of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home 104 Myrtle Ave Stamford, CT (203)-359-9999.  To send condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com