Although I only met Harriett in person once, I feel like I knew her so well.  I have the privilege of calling her daughter Maria one of my closest friends and sister in Christ.  We have been in Bible studies together over the past 12 years.  I got to know Harriett  through stories from Maria and Harriett even came to one of our gatherings in person.  Harriett and I shared more than just our faith.  We were both breast cancer survivors and it was our shared faith that got us through!  I admire how she advocated for victim rights after Elena's death and how she started a widow's ministry after her husband's death.  I was honored to share my personal testimony with her and she embraced me with loving arms in her response.  Harriett was a beautiful representation of the love of Jesus on earth.   Rest in peace Harriet and I'll see you in heaven.  Raise a Hallelujah!  
Love,
Kelly Thormodsgaard

We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ms. Semander. It was truly a privilege to care for her, and she was one of our most special patients. We were always moved by her beautiful smile, strength, and resilience. She touched our hearts in so many ways, and it was an honor to be part of her journey.

We send our deepest condolences to your family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

With love,
Dr. D'Souza and Team

Growing up in Houston and in our church, Mrs. Semander was one of those ladies that I have known all my life but had very few actual conversations with.  In the absence of words, however, she made a big impression on me with her actions and the way she lived her life.  She was a real life example of finding meaning in your suffering and of maintaining faith while enduring pain.  With her soft voice and unassuming demeanor, she was an icon of a humble, loving mother with an internal strength illuminated by her faith in God.  At this stage of my life in particular, I am so grateful to have had such a role model.  It truly brings me tears of joy to imagine her sweet, long-awaited reunion with Elena in heaven.   May her memory be eternal.

With all of our love,
Stephanie and Rafa

Harriett was always an example of genuine kindness, quiet calming grace with a warm smile.  Beyond all the unforgettable family gatherings, their home was filled with warmth and love, a place where everyone always felt welcomed and cherished. I will always feel a deep sense of gratitude to Harriett for being my sponsor. Harriett always drew strength from her deep faith. Her resilience in the face of life's challenges was remarkable no matter the obstacle.  Her steadfast faith was an inspiration to everyone.
Harriett had an extraordinary ability to make each person feel so very loved. Her memory I will hold forever dear and her love will always continue to warm my heart.
I will treasure this past Thanksgiving together, such a perfect and special remembrance of Harriett & John.
God’s Blessings to Maria, JoAnna, John & Family. 
My Love, Nancy Semander

Yia Yia always treated me like family, from the day we met. I’m going to miss spending the summers with you and Zane and Maria, especially getting pappas bbq and watching movies in the living room. You are such an incredible, inspiring, strong woman and I look up to you in many ways. 🤍🤍

She was the heart of your family, a woman whose love, wisdom, and unwavering strength shaped generations. As a mother and grandmother, she led with kindness and grace, always putting her family first and teaching her family the true meaning of resilience and compassion. Through every challenge—whether in life or even enduring a painfully bad trauma  together—she reminded everyone love, and unity could see you all through anything. Her guidance and support built the foundation on which you all  stand today, and because of her, you are strong, united, and filled with love. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled, the memories she created, and the deep bond she nurtured among you all. May Her Memory Be Eternal.

Harriett holds a special place in our hearts.  She  welcomed each of us into her family with love and kindness from the start, never knowing she would be ‘hosting’ many impromptu play dates and dinners for our growing, young families.  She wove in and out of the controlled chaos we brought into her home - always ensuring everyone was comfortable and fed.  We were all touched by her values of loyalty, family and faith, and she always had words of advice and subtle reminders of ‘how good it was that we had each other.’  Harriett was real and authentic and always had a smile on her face and love in her heart for everyone around her.

I will always remember Mrs. Semander’s sweet smile. To Maria, JoAnna and John, your mom was gentle and kind. She was also an incredibly strong woman. You and your children were the lights of her life and her light will live on through you. 
With love and my deepest condolences,
Heidi Balser Budaj

To a true legend, our lives intersected in the most terrible way, a loss. For the last 20 years you have been my Texas Mom! But most of all you've been my hero! You turned a devastating tragedy into a legacy. Now go and rest sweet soul, your job here is done and done well. You have some souls to hug, that you have missed far too long. Rest now in our saviors arms and reap the gift he has given you, an eternity in heaven.

What a truly admirable woman. I will always remember Harriett for her unassuming ways.  She had such a gentleness about her - and always so kind.  She will be missed by all.  May her memory be eternal.

Mrs Semander was a woman of strength, grace, and unwavering faithfulness.  Maria, Joanna, and John you will all carry the love of your mom forward with your family and honor her memory because she taught you all to put God first.  She will be missed but never forgotten.  May her memory be eternal.

I was lucky enough to be in a bonus family, and get to meet this real jewel of a lady. Harriett included us in many of her family celebrations and always with love and a smile. She had a heart of gold in bad times she was very brave in happy times she was a cheerleader to all. She had a gift to accommodating everyone and had time for all of us. We will miss you our sweet Harriet. May your memory be eternal and condolences to all the family. God‘s blessings to all! 🙏💕😥💐

Mrs. Harriett was a beautiful soul with such a calming presence. Her smile was disarming and her gentle manner of speaking always made me feel at ease.  She was a woman of immense faith who feared no one because God was on her side. 
She will be sorely missed but she’s left an incredible legacy in her children and grandchildren. 

May her memory be eternal. 

	Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
-John 14:27

As it is so sad to hear about your mom, it is comforting to know she has a special place in heaven. No doubt she is in the hands of the Lord and with your dad and sister. One of my favorite bible verses is 2 Timothy 4:7....As St. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." That sounds so much like your mom. May God bless you all!

Aunt Harriett had a heart of gold and love that knew no bounds. She was somebody that had an open door and welcomed anybody that crossed paths. I had texted her just over 3 weeks ago telling her how beautiful the video she did for Elena's birthday..her response ended with "God bless you both. I love and miss you very much".  No words can put be put into how much of an impact she had on so many people around her. May her memory be eternal. Love you forever Aunt Harriett.

Heaven got a good one with Harriett! She made a difference with her compassion and the strength of her faith in God. I am grateful to have been one who was blessed by her life. May Harriett rest in eternal peace. I will be holding the entire family in prayer.

Harriett was such a joy to be around. She always had a twinkle in her eyes, a smile on her face and the most calm and soothing voice. But, what stood out most about Harriett, was how courageous and strong she was, while she remained so incredibly gentle and kind. She will be missed.

As a cousin, I will always remember the day Harriett told me to call her Aunt in her kitchen.  What an honor to be able to call her Aunt Harriett.  So, from that day forward she was Aunt Harriett to me. Such a faith filled lady for love of God and Family.  She had amazing strength to see through the darkest hours as her faith was always unwavering.  I will miss her beautiful smile and quiet soft demeanor and always making you feel so very special.  The month of June will always be treasured with birthday parties full of fun memories at Aunt Harriett’s & Uncle Zach’s!  We will miss her more than words can ever tell.  Her memory will forever be in our hearts, and her faith always guide us. 
My Love & Prayers Always to Maria, JoAnna, John & Family. 
Love, Sherry Semander

Remembering your wonderful mother and the incredible person she was.  She never let anything stand in her way and moved mountains patiently, peacefully and always with grace.  She welcomed me into your family and always treated me as another daughter.  She had a way of making friends feel like family.  And even though she had experienced a terrible loss, a traumatic event, she never once lost sight of her faith or her devotion to our Lord.  She will be missed by so many people but her legacy, her traditions, her accomplishments live on in her children, grandchildren and so many of the lives that she touched.   May Her Memory Be Eternal+

Easily, one of the most important women in my life for the last 33 years.   An ever-present, welcome, wise, kind, yiayia to our sons and a mother-in-law for the ages. We have been very blessed to have her in our lives.  We love you, mom/yiayia. ❤️

Dear Harriet “Becca”,

I miss you so very much, as of all the rest of our family. We have shared so many wondeful memories at our family gatherings and parties throughout the years. I remember a time when the entire family was at our house in Texas and some of the family members were talking about our family Geneology.  You and I attentively listened and looked with amazement how much detailed our family Geneology has. We were talking about each family member and how they were related to each other. Also, we went out to dinner as a family, you and I sat next to each making each other laugh and giggle. You said I was a nut, and I said I love walnuts, you bonked me on my head teasingly and we laughed all through dinner.   I will always remember your every hug, embrace, warm and gracious smiles you gave to the family and myself, and all the unconditional love you gave our family and I. I will always remember the sight of you, Lena, Kiki, Diamond, Theo, Pete, John (your brother), my Great Uncle John, and Mary all sitting together at a table. Thank you for all the beautiful memories we all have shared with you.  Please take us with you in your heart and speak to us everyday in our lives and hearts.   We will always love you and look for the beauty of your life everywhere. 
Love Always, Karen, Byron, Robbie, and Tom

Our family has forever been touched by Harriett’s outward love. She embraced both of our girls, like she was their YiaYia Nona. 
John is Tasia’s Nono and Kyra refers to him as Nono John due to his love for her too!
Harriett would take the girls on outings like The American Girl store and lunch on her own! 
We recently had the pleasure of her company for dinner at our house where we all enjoyed a meal together and the chance to catch up again. She will forever be missed by our family. 
May her memory be eternal 
Love, The Rushing family

Harriett was like a second mother to me and I am heartbroken of her passing. I was lucky enough to develop a relationship with her outside of her children, who I consider my family. There were many times I reached out to her for advice as she was always willing to share her wisdom and kindness to anyone in need.  She was fiercely devoted to her children and an incredible driving force of change in our justice system. She touched so many lives leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire us all. And no one in the world could make avgolemono soup like she did… it was pure comfort and love in a bowl! I love you, Harriett, may you rest in eternal peace.

Mrs. Semander was one of a kind!  She was kind, strong, and caring person!  She was always smiling!  I’m so grateful to have known her and her wonderful family!  My prayers are with Maria, JoAnna, and John!🙏🏼🙏🏼💕💕

Dear Semander family,
I have pretty much known you my whole life.  I am saddened by Harriett’s passing but also so fortunate to have known her.  What a beautiful lady inside and out.  May her memory be a blessing! 
Ania Bender

Her grace and quiet spirit filled the hallways of Kinkaid. Her presence reassured us that all would be well. She was always "for" us in all situations... even when we were in a little bit of trouble. 
My favorite memory of Mrs. Semander is the birthday party she threw for Maria when we were children. Mr. Semander and Elena played memorable roles as well. Many silly party games were played which concluded with an epic scavenger hunt. The clues took us outside in the back yard at dusk. Elena, positioned to startle and costumed with a ghostly hanging sheet over her, began to move in a creepy way. It worked! We were shaking. The final clue took us to a hole on the outside wall of the garage where we had to reach a hand in to obtain the object we were after. On the other side was waiting Mr. Semander who grabbed my hand. Screaming all the way back to the house, we fell into the safe arms of Harriet Semander. The laughter quickly ensued and the rest of the evening was spent retelling our daring adventure. 
I love that memory. And I love the Semander family. My heart is with you always.

Harriett was such a huge part of my life growing up and the memories I have of her are forever ingrained in my mind. We went on numerous road trips together to Dallas for tournaments for GOYA or the Maids and Sons, and we always had so much fun. Even though she was “our” mom she always went along with our craziness and girlie banter and laughed along with us. She was the epitome of grace and integrity. She guided us through difficult times after the loss Elena and she made sure we were safe.  I love you Harriett, you will be missed, and you will always hold a special place in my heart ❤️

Thea Harriet was also my Nonna.  She was a better mother to me than my own.  She welcomed me with open arms and an open heart and I will always be grateful for her guidance and love and acceptance.  
She lives in my best memories every day.  
My love and support go out to Maria, Joanna and John.  It is hard to say goodbye to one so well and truly loved.

Harriett is a true Matriarch and an angel from Heaven on earth.  She instilled a never ending faith in her children and empowered them to strive to be selfless and serve others before themselves.  A special woman, a special family.  Harriett will be missed and also lives on.  God bless.

While her tremendous strength and commitment to activism always come to mind, it's her tremendous warmth and loving kindness that touched me so deeply over the many years I was lucky enough to be in her orbit. When Harriet hugged you, she meant it. When she looked at you, you were seen. Sending so much love to JoAnna, Maria, John and the whole sweet family. I'm so sorry for your loss. May her memory be eternal.

i was the neighbor right in front of her house. i’ve know her when i was little and my adopted dad (bill spears) was around, he’s in the same obituary here too. she was the absolute sweetest and loving human being. i will forever miss her and all the memories i had with her as i grew up. i send my condolences to the family but she’s also a family to me as well! Rest in Peace Harriette. you’ll forever be remembered!

OBITUARY

Harriett Vatsures Semander

June 5, 1933 – March 8, 2025

Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home & Cemetery

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services