Harriet Freyde Sommer, a beloved painter and art therapist, passed away on June 20, just shy of her 92nd birthday, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and creativity that touched the lives of many.
Born on July 1, 1933, in the Overbrook neighborhood of West Philadelphia, Harriet was the youngest daughter of Mollye and J. Richard Barnett. Her early passion for art ignited when she began sketching at the tender age of four.
“My mom believed in the power of art,” recalled her daughter, Caren Sommer-Lazar. “She chose to focus on the beauty in the world, rather than what could often be just the opposite. She felt that art healed her — and she used it to heal others.”
Sommer, a gifted student, graduated from Overbrook High School, excelling in art, English, and history. Although she was awarded a scholarship to Beaver College, she opted to pursue her interests in fashion illustration and textile design at the Philadelphia College of Art, where she honed her visual sensibility.
After marrying Ralph F. Sommer, a Holocaust survivor from France, Harriet valued her family role and devoted herself to raising their three children — Michele, Caren, and Richard — while supporting her husband in the family business, Barnett Brothers Radio Company.
Despite this, her passion for art never waned. She continued to create from their homes in Mount Airy and later in Wyncote, taking classes at Allen’s Lane Art Center with artist Paul Gorka, and later remaining active at the Cheltenham Center for the Arts for decades.
Margaret Griffin, the executive director of the Cheltenham Center for the Arts, described Sommer as “a thoughtful, kind watercolorist with a beautiful eye for color.” Her vibrant floral works and warm presence enriched the painting group she was a part of.
Later in her career, Sommer drew inspiration from groundbreaking women artists like Alice Neel and Helen Frankenthaler, both of whom influenced her approach to art.
“She admired their courage and their realism,” said her son, Richard Sommer.
In the 1980s, after her children had grown, Harriet returned to the Philadelphia College of Art to complete her degree in art therapy.
“Can you imagine going back to art school in your late 40s, surrounded by 18- to 22-year-olds?” Richard commented, but his mother succeeded in her studies, graduating with a degree that integrated her love for art and helping others.
Sommer embarked on a fulfilling second career as an art therapist, utilizing her skills to connect with seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities across Montgomery County. Her ability to empathize enabled her to help many express their feelings through art, especially those who struggled with dementia and illness.
“She worked with people who were sometimes forgotten — who had dementia or illness — and she helped them express feelings they couldn’t put into words,” said Sommer-Lazar.
Even in her later years, Sommer remained engaged with her artistic pursuits. At the age of 87, she had a solo show at Rydal Park and orchestrated the entire exhibit herself.
“She painted until the very end,” Sommer-Lazar shared. “The day before she passed, she was rushing to an art activity. We found watercolors and drawings she had recently been working on.”
The impact of Harriet’s creativity could be seen in her family as well. Sommer-Shapiro became a high school art teacher and collage artist, while Sommer-Lazar pursued a career as an art director and exhibiting artist. Richard Sommer chose architecture and teaches at the university level. Among their children and grandchildren are animators, designers, and goldsmiths, all influenced by Harriet’s artistic legacy.
“Art is her lasting legacy,” said Sommer-Lazar. “She touched all of us with it from generation to generation.”
Harriet’s home was always filled with her artwork, and her daughter recalls how her mother’s creative spirit encouraged her to embrace art as a pathway to joy.
One particular painting, a small oil canvas of daffodils and violets, holds deep significance for Sommer-Lazar.
“It captures the essence of early spring,” she explained. “It’s gotten me through some of my darkest hours.”
Outside of her artistic endeavors, Harriet and her husband were actively involved in the Jewish community, contributing their time and skills to local organizations. “Harriet was strong, courageous, intelligent, independent, incredibly talented, kind, loving and empathetic,” reflected Sommer-Lazar.
“She lived artfully, compassionately, and shared her unique way of seeing the world through her love of line, color, form, and light.”
In remembrance, Harriet Freyde Sommer will be remembered not only for her artistic talent but for the joy and compassion she brought to the lives of those around her.
image source from：jewishexponent
