It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Harriet
Sylvia Zaichick, who died surrounded by her loved ones on October 6th at Sunnybrook
Hospital at the age of 87, after a long and valiant battle with kidney and heart failure.
Harriet was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, in 1939 to parents Bessie and Saul
Hoffer. She was the last surviving sibling of Evelyn Silverstone, Beatrice Wise, and
Donald Hoffer, with all of whom she remained extremely close throughout their lives.
Harriet’s one true love was her late husband, Gerry. Together they built a loving family
with their three children, Heidi, Jill, and Sean in Edmundston, New Brunswick. Wanting
to give their children greater opportunities, they moved to Toronto in 1978.
In 1979, Harriet began working at the Trend Shoppe in Markham Place at Don Mills and
Steeles. Remarkably, she remained the store manager there until the age of 85,
stopping only two years ago when her body began to slow down and make the work too
difficult to continue. Everyone in the mall knew her, and it seemed that every woman in
the area over the age of 40 knew “Harriet from the Trend Shoppe.” Harriet’s work was
her passion. She loved her clients and coworkers, many of whom became close friends.
Even during her final days in the ICU, she would talk in her sleep about how a coat
looked on a client or about making change for a purchase.

Harriet and Gerry derived the greatest nachas from their family. Heidi married Lou Stea,
and when they welcomed their son Jonathan, it was their greatest joy to become
grandparents. Jill Roy’s son Matthew was born shortly afterward and brought even more
excitement to the family. When Sean and Marla Zaichick welcomed their daughter Ariel,
their joy was even more complete. This now gave them their  trifecta of three  healthy grandchildren
whom they simply adored. Jonathan also found his life partner Leslie, giving Harriet a
bonus grandchild to shower with love.

After Gerry’s passing in 2011, Harriet continued to live for the last 15 years with Jill.
Harriet and Jill moved together into a few different places, finally settling into a beautiful
new apartment in North York just last year when Mom’s declining health made stairs too
difficult to navigate.

In recent years, Harriet’s health continued to decline. She was diagnosed with
congestive heart failure and stage 4 kidney failure. Despite her bleak diagnosis, she
declined dialysis—not only because she hated hospitals, but because she did not want to place any undue burden on her family. She chose conservative care instead, and
despite increasing pain, she never complained.

As we say goodbye, we hold on to the countless memories and the life lessons she
taught us all. Her beautiful smile, her always-impeccable hair, her trendy clothes, and
her huge heart will never be forgotten.

Harriet will be missed dearly by her countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She worked so hard every single day of her life. Now it is time for her to be reunited
with her beloved Gerry and finally rest in peace. She will be loved forever by all who
were lucky enough to know her.

 After the cemetery family and friends are invited to 5 Emerald Lane in Thornhill, Bathurst and Steeles area, to the party room. Please check in with security at the gate. There is parking above ground as well as in the underground parking garage. Along with a bite to eat, it will give us a chance to all be together. Eulogies will also be read as we celebrate Harriet’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to Kidney Foundation of Canada https://kidney.ca/en/ or

Sunnybrook Hospital 416-480-4483 https://sunnybrook.ca/