Harriett Root

July 18th, 1924 - March 26th, 2022

Memorial

Harriett Root, 97, of Los Angeles, CA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on March 26, 2022. Harriett was born on July 18, 1924, to Sam and Ida Geifman in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Central High School in 1942, she worked at Mutual Of Omaha and the family owned Bedford Market, until re-locating to Los Angeles in 1946 where Harriett landed a job at Decca Records in the personnel department. In August of 1947, Harriett met Jack Root on a blind date, and they feel deeply in love. Jack proposed in November, and they were married on December 12, 1947, in Los Angeles. Jack worked in the family pickle business and served in the USMC Reserve. Their first child, James, was born on August 6, 1950. A daughter, Debra, followed on September 16, 1953 and tragically, she passed away 8 months later. They had their second son, John on September 28, 1955, and youngest son Daniel was born September 20, 1959. Harriett’s deep Mid-Western commitment to strong family values was evidenced by how she raised their three sons. Raising a family with Jack was a passion and brought her great joy. She was a wonderful full-time homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and true friend! As the boys went off to build their own careers and families, Jack continued to grow and lead a highly successful audio-visual business, AVHQ, in Los Angeles which he eventually sold. After Jack’s retirement in 1991, he and Harriett focused on quality time with their immediate growing family, extended family members and their many close personal friends. They traveled, enjoyed life, and continued active support of The Concern Foundation. Jack lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in November of 2011 and Harriett continued her advocacy, support of women’s issues, children’s health care and was the matriarch of the Root family. Harriett is survived by three wonderful loving sons, two amazing daughter-in-laws, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren who are and will be eternally grateful for the deep love given them all! She was the inspiration, foundation, and binding energy of the entire Root family