Harold Jarmon

Our beloved father, Harold (Hal) Jarmon, 88, son of Paul and Rebecca Jarmon z”l, passed away Friday evening, January 7, 2022, in the comfort of his own home in Cambridge, MA.  He coped valiantly with Alzheimer’s until he transitioned peacefully to whatever lies beyond this life. He was surrounded by his loving daughters, Amita, Karen and Jessie Jarmon as well as the love of his life for the past 38 years, Alice Daniel.

Two weeks prior to his passing, his daughters, Karen’s husband Todd Ehrlich, and granddaughters Miriam and Rebekah had a sweet visit with Hal and Alice – a time together that will always be cherished.

Hal was a soulful person who was deeply present with himself and others. He valued and cultivated intimate relationships and never sought to be the center of attention. His children and grandchildren turned to him when in need of a compassionate heart and insightful mind. As we daughters reached out to former colleagues and students to notify them of his passing, we heard repeatedly how working with Hal was the highlight of their careers and/or pivotal in their emotional and professional development.

In 1963 he founded the Child Guidance Clinic at UMass, Amherst, which evolved into the Psychological Services Center. The Center, which he directed from the late 60’s until 1990, continues to train graduate students to work with adults as well as children. Upon retiring from the University, he became the Director of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services at the Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center (SJPHC). He maintained a private practice until the age of 80. In the late 90’s, while contemplating retirement from the SJPHC, Hal initiated a local men’s group for peers at the same stage in life. He organized and facilitated the group for 30 years.

His relationship with his second wife, his beloved Alice, is the stuff movies are made of. They had been in the same social circle as teens, and a very close mutual friend from that circle made a shidduch between them several years after he divorced our mother.  They married in 1985. His name being Hal, and hers being Alice, they referred to themselves (as did we and their friends) as HALICE. As children, he took us on many hikes in the Berkshires and Mt. Monadnock. Halice enjoyed extensive hikes in the Alps and the Sierras. They also spent many happy winters together in beautiful Oaxaca. They loved going for long walks in the Fresh Pond nature preserve just a few blocks from their home. When Alice started to develop dementia 13 years ago, he did not lose patience, tenderness, or respect for her.  Their love was palpable. Everyone commented on it.

Hal was a lover of music, especially classical, folk and bluegrass. He played cello in several amateur chamber groups, participating every summer in the Composers Conference and Chamber Music Workshops at Wellesley College. During the past year, he and his brother Stan played cello and saxophone duets over facetime.  His cello teacher of the past 20 years, Jan Pfeiffer-Rios, played his favorite repertoire at his bedside during his last earthbound days.

He was a devoted and much adored colleague, mentor, therapist and friend.  His family takes solace from knowing he led a life full of integrity and joy.

Graveside funeral is private.  A celebration of Hal’s life will be held via Zoom on February 6.

The family invites donations in Hal’s memory to: The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org or All on the Line (with its mission to end gerrymandering) https://www.allontheline.org