Harriet Frances Rubin, 83, died on May 10, 2021 at her home in Seminole, Fla., with her love of 53 years, Del Filardi, by her side. The cause was multiple myeloma.
Harriet was born in Boston on Sept. 3, 1937. She earned a B.S. degree from Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. After college, she taught physical education and health in Pelham, N.Y. Del Filardi was teaching the same subjects in nearby Rye, N.Y. In 1968, Harriet and Del met at a field hockey play day. Harriet’s department head was there and told her, “You have to meet Del Filardi — you’ll love her.” And she did. Soon they were living together in Greenwich, Conn.
Ten years later, they moved to Wellfleet. They founded the Blue Heron Gallery there in 1978, which they ran for 20 years. They first shared a living space with the gallery, and many of their customers became their friends. The gallery’s growth and success literally forced the couple to move out. In the early ’90s, they built a beautiful home in Truro, where they lived for nearly 30 years. When it became legal in 2004, they were married in a quiet ceremony on their deck overlooking the Pamet River.
Harriet and Del bought their first Florida place in the early ’80s. They wintered in Madeira Beach and Seminole until they moved year-round to Lake Seminole Square in 2019.
Throughout their time on the Cape, both Harriet and Del pursued the arts that they loved: Harriet as a potter and Del as a sculptor. The couple became fixtures of the community — especially the arts community — as mentors and philanthropists.
Harriet loved tennis, travel, photography, and bike riding. She especially enjoyed her daily walks to Pamet Harbor. On her way back home, she always picked a flower and a pine cone as her gift for Del.
Harriet is survived by her beloved spouse, Del Filardi; her brother and sister-in-law, Norm Rubin and Wendy Dicker of Canada; nieces Kimi Beaven and Nancy Myrick, nephew David Myrick, grand-niece Sonali Beaven, and grand-nephew Keshava Kaipaka, all of California; and her beloved cat, Duchess. She was predeceased by her parents, Gertrude and Morris Rubin; her sister, Miki; and her nephew, John.
Del expressed thanks to the staff of Lake Seminole Senior Living, Bayshore Home Care, and Seasons Hospice for their constant care of Harriet.
Donations in Harriet’s name can be made to the Truro Center for the Arts (P.O. Box 756, Truro 02666), Wellfleet Preservation Hall (335 Main St., Wellfleet 02667), or Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care (17757 U.S. Highway 19 No., Suite 175, Clearwater, Fla. 33764).
A memorial service to celebrate Harriet’s life will be held at a date to be announced.
