**Copy of message from USF Health to all of USF Health staff. Sharing so family knows how much Harriet meant to all of us. **

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share with you the news that Harriet Steinbraker passed away Sunday night. When hearing the news, I started texting those people at USF Health whose lives have been touched by Harriet, however over the course of 30 plus years, the list is too long to individually text.

Harriet has been a vendor, a problem-solver, a supplier, and a friend to USF Health. No job was too big or too small for Harriet to manage. Her personal commitment to seeing every job through to the very end is what made her the consummate professional that was always the preferred vendor for anything office-related be it supplies, furniture, cubicles, large moves, small moves, and everything in-between.

Her skill set, her institutional knowledge, her flexibility, her ability to be on-site with short notice, coupled with her sweetness, friendship, and willingness to do whatever it took to ensure that her customers were happy is what made her so special.

Her smile, her passion for meeting our needs, her persistence, and most importantly the love, care and concern that she showed for each and every one of us will be sorely missed.
Joe Jackson

Harriet called me on May 30th. I missed her call but called her back immediately. I have a voice mail from her starting with the usual greeting of “honey”. I know this term of endearment wasn’t solely for me, but I’ll cherish this voice mail for a long, long time. Rest well my good friend. I look forward to seeing you again in paradise.

I am so truly sorry for your loss. Ms. Harriet was such a kind and amazing person. Such a hard worker and always went above and beyond to help whenever anything was asked of her. She will be greatly missed.

Harriet was a junior in high school when we first met and over the many years since then my fondest memories of her is her smile and her industriousness.
Her early years family was composed of all females and she loved doing some of the work around the house
( like mowing the lawn and helping to care and feed the menagerie of pets) that might normally be done by a male.
Harriet loved and cared for her mother and three sisters throughout her entire life and as her family grew she became the much loved “Aunt Harriet” to the younger generation.
She also loved going out on boats and and on one occasion when we were scalloping she noticed that a small shark had been swimming nearby and she made sure that I got my butt back in the boat real pronto!
So, thank you Harriet for all the memories and especially for saving my a- –
from that shark.
Your”big brother”
Alex

I had the great pleasure of working with Harriet for a number of years. She was truly amazing at her job, always placing the customer needs first. She was also a wonderful friend, always taking time to listen to what you were saying no matter what she had going on in her life. Always putting others first. Yes, she will be missed. May you rest in peace my dear friend in God’s loving embrace.

I was fortunate enough to know Harriet since our teens.

She always stood out as one of the most caring, unselfish and giving people I have ever known.

Her passing is going to leave a huge empty space in the lives of all that knew and loved her.

I’m comforted to know that she now has her Angel wings and will be watching over us from above.

Love you always Harriet.

Harriet was so kind and always greeted me with a smile.
I will never forget the time My husband and I ran into her at our favorite little Italian restaurant here in Lutz. Paloma Picasso was one of her favorite perfumes, and she happened to be wearing it that evening. We enjoyed her company over a glass of wine that night, which was just by chance.

She was an absolute pleasure to work with and will be missed.

We lost a very special lady on Sunday. I was so lucky to have had her in my life…. I will miss you dearly my friend….

On a personal note, in addition to being a lifelong colleague in the workplace, Harriet was also a dear friend and confidant. She referred to me as her “brother from another mother” and we spent many lunches and happy hours together over the years. Every conversation started with “Honey….” and ended with an “I love you”. She was the personification of an angel on Earth walking among us. I never heard Harriet say an unkind word about anyone. The only exception to that is when she got testy with a policeman who scratched her brand new car as he was attempting to push her car off the side of the road. Most people probably don’t know about Harriet’s collection of firearms and her deep respect, history, and enthusiasm of guns. When my wife acquired a handgun, Harriet took her to the shooting range and taught her all aspects of gun safety, how to shoot, clean, load and lock her gun. She was a treasure…to her customers, her family, and her long list of friends and acquaintances. She has left an indelible mark on my life and I will never forget her. May she rest in peace.

I cannot express how deeply loved Harriet was and still is. She taught me so much and right from the start I knew she was heaven sent. She was the calm in an often chaotic world of deadlines and must haves. Her smile, overall joyful essence and profound presence will be missed beyond measure.
Thank you for your guidance, lessons, friendship and love. Will miss you until we meet again 🤍
Always!
Laura & Hope

Harriet would always greet me with a hug and a kiss— something that lawyers don’t often receive from their clients. But, when I think of Harriet, I’ll always remember laughing with her whenever we were together. For many years, she took care of the supplies that we needed at our law firm, and it was those chance visits at the office that were so much fun. She was a sweetheart and will be missed by everyone who ever was lucky enough to meet her.

Harriet could best be described as a beautiful person inside and out. I always looked forward to seeing her when she was working on a project for USF Health. Always smiling, always positive.
I feel blessed for having known her.

Harriet, we never met in person but you were my friend. It’s clear from all the loving messages on this page that no one who knew you will be surprised that you managed to spark a real friendship with a business contact simply over email, which grew into texts and phone calls. Your warmth shone through no matter the communication method. When I went through breast cancer treatment last year, you checked on me regularly and raised my spirits. I was sad but hopeful when you received your own diagnosis, elated when you scanned cancer-free, and devastated when you told me it had returned. Throughout, it was comforting to hear about your strong support network; you spoke so lovingly of your nephew and siblings and I can imagine how wonderful they must be. We talked about someday meeting in person, and I so wish we had. I’ll keep coming back to this page to learn more about you from all the lucky, lucky people who had you in their lives for so long.

I know Harriet through my husband. We became friends because she was so friendly, loving and funny. She was one of the kindest ladies I’ve ever met. The two of us went on an outing which is a highlight. We laughed and had a great time. She bought me something that I will always treasure. The gift and the memory will never be forgotten.

I’m devastated to hear the news of the passing of such a beautiful woman. Harriet was always there to answer the biggest or smallest question. Like others have said she always greeted you with honey Or sweetheart and always lifted my spirits whenever we crossed paths. We worked multiple projects together and I know I was demanding of what I wanted but she always delivered with a smile Rest in peace my friend

Heaven gained an amazing Angel who can spread her wings over ALL whose life she touched for years. Harriett was like an Aunt to me, she changed my diapers watching me as we’ve been neighbors my entire life. She knew what the importance of “family” is, the love and comfort given unconditionally by taking care of everyone she loved around her. She was a stellar selfless, loving human being, always radiant. I’m blessed to have been in her circle of love, her watchful eye across street to ensure all was well with my parents and I. When it was my time to care for my parents during their end years, she shared her love and encouraging words to assure me on the journey with grace. Years ago when we needed help to find my dad when he disappeared, was lost in area (alzhiemers) at night. Harriett found him, I’ll never forget that night of worry. She said, “don’t worry honey we’ve got this, daddy is safe”. Any time something seemed strange outside our home up to even a month ago, she would call me immediately on high alert to notify, or just check in, if I’m ok. She was “Harriett on the spot”. We would wave to each other when both of us would mow our yards on same day, blowing a kiss across street. She was a pillar of strength and admirable. Now Harriett is celebrating her renewed life with my parents and her family, they are having a party while she is behind the camera taking pictures or videos. I will miss her so much, there is a void now in the circle of our life yet our precious memories live on. I love you Harriett and send condolences to the whole family. “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11

I first met Harriet many years ago when she considered buying and building a home in NE GA. I had the pleasure of coming to know her family, Christopher, Angel and Mary Lou, who were so dear to her. Harriet LOVED the Northeast Georgia Mountains and her friends here loved her right back! I just saw her a few weeks ago on her last visit to her “Cabin in the woods”. I wanted to send a flower arrangement with a black bear in the theme, but the florist said he didn’t have any black bears – he could do Flamingo’s but not bears! Wishing we could be there but sending our love instead. Praying for peace in your hearts as you adjust to life without Harriet in the earthly form. She will be missed.

When I was little I couldn’t say Harriet’s name so she was always “Hat” to me. Even though I’ve lived in Ohio for the last 25 yrs., I’ve never forgotten the loving spirit of my Hat. She would come to the house and swim in the pool some nights after work and I would go out and chat with her. I looked up to her as a big sister. She will always be in my heart.

Deborah Harz (Little Debbie)

My love and sincere condolences to the family, I will pray that God’s warmth and presence comforts all of you through the loss. Harriet and I have been spirit sisters (in my mind) for many many years. When last we spoke during the chemo process, we both said was like we had not lost touch and just picking up where we were and catching up. I, like many, have had many friends in my life, my journey….and cared for all, liked most….but trusted genuinely, very few with exception of another friend i lost in 2005 and Harriet. She was an extraordinary human being, a kind person filled with love and always encouragement…. i will miss her presence, immensely….I will miss her, as many of us will.
May she rest in peace now with no suffering, and seeing her momma.

Sweetest lady I knew but also so strong! She was my life cheerleader and always a calming for me. She always made me feel so loved by her, a presence in my life for 30 plus years. She always made me feel like a great single mom and always asked for me to send her recent pictures of my son and I to only then tell me how beautiful he was ❤️ We text weekly, if not one of us would text “love you” by the second week. A constant in my life…a woman I adored and I felt she adored me back 💕 I will miss her terribly, our texts, emails, calls. Sending all my love and thoughts to her family and friends during this difficult time and how blessed we all are to have had such a beautiful soul in our lives 💔 love you Harriet 💕

We have shared so many wonderful memories with the Steinbraker family which we will always treasure. It is now with saddened hearts that we pay tribute to Harriet. She was our friend, and we will always remember her kindness, her giving heart, and her charm. Forever in our hearts.

We have shared so many wonderful memories with the Steinbraker family which we will always treasure.
It is now with saddened hearts that we pay tribute to Harriet. She was our dear friend, and we will
always remember her kindness, her giving nature, and her charm. Forever in our hearts.
The Marino Family

People come and go in our lives, but some never leave because of who they were. Harriett was one of those people that you will remember. She was a great friend. I met her at work and I am blessed to have known her. I’ve read these condolence messages and I know she’s been taking care of others for years.
She always made sure to ask how I was every time we spoke. She took care of others, her family, customers, friends. She was a wonderful person for sure. Rest in peace Harriett. You will be missed.

I first met Harriet in 1979 when I was 17 and she was 23. My best friend Sue Brown introduced us when I started at USF. Sue was in the ROTC and “Har” was the Administrative Assistant in the Military Sciences building. Har and I became fast friends, and I would hang out daily in her office between classes and after school, waiting to carpool home to Brandon with Sue.

As you can imagine, Harriet was beloved by all the military Officers, staff and ROTC students. They were always trying to recruit Harriet and I to join the Army. We didn’t, but we hung out with them. I remember wonderful parties and get-togethers and the two of us even got to ride in a helicopter from USF to MacDill on one of their maneuvers, and another time, repel off the 3rd story Engineering building. I got to meet Harriet’s mother Frances, and her three beautiful sisters, all who worked at USF at the time. We called them the “Steinbraker Girls”. I remember when Angel and Christopher were born. Harriet loves her family.

I transferred to the Univ of Tampa, but our friendship had taken hold. We enjoyed so many good times together over the years. Harriet made a career move and left USF, and I went into Law Enforcement. We often met on our breaks from work to have café con leche at one of the Cuban shops in Ybor or West Tampa. We helped each other over the years, having long deep talks and belly-laughing our way through the ups and downs of life.

Harriet can be described very easily.
She possesses the best of all character traits: she’s generous, loyal, brave, kind, honest, patient, trustworthy, optimistic and loving! And she exemplifies all the important virtues, both earthly and Godly: she’s compassionate, empathetic, truthful, sincere, courageous, joyful, tranquil and forgiving.

Harriet has exhibited all these and more with her family, friends and colleagues throughout her life and especially this past year with her illness and fight to live.

“To know Harriet is to love Harriet” and “Harriet never met a stranger”. I know each one of you feels this way. She has a gift of way of making every person feel special and loved by being present and really listening to them. The name “Harriet” is not often used these days, and I’m glad because she is an original and she has made the name supercool to me.

Her death leaves a huge void in my life, as it does for literally all the 100s of people she met in her lifetime. I’m so thankful God placed and enriched my life with Harriet. Harriet is a Christian and loves the Lord. All the angels, saints and loved ones in heaven are now getting to enjoy our Harriet for all eternity! What a joy for them and for her. It certainly makes me strive for heaven a little harder now, so I know I will see her again someday.
I can hear her now as she approaches St. Peter at the pearly gates of heaven……………………….”Hi Honey”!

I love you, Harriet!

Your friend,
Margaret Mary Hauser

Good bye my friend.

I met Harriet in the 80’s. We had lots of lunches together for years and then we both changed jobs and grew farther apart and kind of stopped being able to see each other. BUT, we never stopped texting each other on our birthdays. Well this morning I couldn’t wait to get on the phone and text her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! just to find out she has left us.
I am so saddened. I will not ever forget you my wonderful friend.
Happy Birthday, I love you