Harriet Finkelstein, Foundation Angel, Passes Away

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is saddened to report the passing of Harriet Finkelstein, an enthusiastic and generous volunteer leader for the Foundation. She and her late husband, David, served as National Trustees and Board Directors for several decades and were honored at the Foundation’s 2008 Baltimore Dining in the Dark for their dedication to the Foundation’s mission. The Finkelsteins actively supported Foundation dinners, the Baltimore VisionWalk, and wine tastings. Harriet often visited the Foundation’s former headquarters in Owings Mills, Maryland, to lend a hand, spread good humor, and energize staff.

Harriet and David became involved serendipitously with the Foundation shortly after it was founded in 1971. Danny Freedman, an original Foundation Board Director, came to Harriet’s home in Baltimore by mistake; he was looking for a different house. Though she wasn’t impacted by a retinal disease or vision loss, Harriet was inspired to support the Foundation’s mission after chatting with Danny.

"Harriet was a force to be reckoned with — she brought incredible energy and commitment to our mission. At the same time, she was sincere, warm, and compassionate. Her passing is a huge loss for the Foundation family,” said Mindy Caplan, a Foundation National Trustee. Mindy’s parents, Ben and Beverly Berman, co-founded the Foundation with Gordon and Llura Gund.

“Harriet was the purest form of what the Foundation calls an angel donor and volunteer ¾ an angel being someone who drives the mission though they’re not directly affected by its cause,” said Alan Kahn, a former Foundation Board Director . “Harriet put her heart and soul into her work. She was a true seraph ¾ that is, an angel of the highest order.”

"There was no one quite like Harriett.  She was smart, fun, compassionate, and took no guff from anyone," said Haynes Lea, JD, Secretary, Foundation Board of Directors.  "I felt a huge void in my gut hearing the news of her passing. I’d ask God to bless her soul, but I think He did that a long time ago."

The Finkelsteins were supporters of several other Maryland-based charities and active in their community. They were also owners of H&D Stables and raced thoroughbred horses. Two of their thoroughbreds ran in the Breeders’ Cup. Harriet grew up across from Pimlico Racetrack in Baltimore and told stories of climbing out of her bedroom window to watch the races and later going to the track barns with her sisters to feed carrots to the horses.

Harriet passed at the age of 85. She is survived by her children, Michael Finkelstein (spouse Juli) and Esther Solomon (spouse Theodore); her treasured grandchildren, Nicole (spouse Brian) and Andrew; and her beloved great-grandchildren, Cameron and Connor.