Obituary of Jean Marie Harris

1920 – 2023 Peacefully on February 2, 2023 Jean Marie Harris (née Douglas), passed away at the age of 102 at peopleCare Oakcrossing Long Term Care in London, Ontario. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerry Harris (2009) and sisters Lorna Bevan and Joyce Long. Jean is loved and remembered by her children Mike (Nanci), Valerie (Jerry Reid) and Julie (Jan Smith), 10 dearly-loved grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and 2 yet-to-be-born great-grandchildren. Eloping during World War II and spending their wedding day at a Maple Leafs game, their sense of fun and adventure never let up. Jean and Gerry loved to travel and met many new friends on cruises and bus trips and while wintering in Destin, Florida each year. Settling in Niagara Falls, they enjoyed keeping active with 5-pin bowling, lawn bowling and daily walks through Dufferin Islands in Niagara Falls and later Springbank Park when they moved to London to be closer to family. Jean enjoyed golf and loved to hide a bottle of wine in her golf bag to be enjoyed mid-round in a woodsy spot with her partner. She and Gerry supported baseball and hockey, both as hockey parents, coaches and Knights supporters. Many a Saturday evening was spent enjoying a game of bridge or poker with friends and family. Jean loved children and crafts and combined both in her job at the local library leading Story Hour and children’s crafts each week. If there was a craft, Jean tried it. Macramé, knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, refinishing furniture, bread-baking, winemaking, flower arranging – she enjoyed them all. Jean had a heart for the less fortunate and a generous spirit. We remember one special Christmas when our family was joined by a couple and their infant daughter, new to Canada, whom Jean had taken under her wing. Most of all we remember Jean for her sense of humour and love of a good joke. She always had a twinkle in her eye. We will miss that twinkle but our lives have been enriched by her life. We would like to thank the staff at Oakcrossing for their exceptional care and genuine compassion. We will always be indebted to them for the love shown our Mom. A private family celebration of her life will be held in the spring. Cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy, please do a kind deed and hug those you love or you may leave a comment through London Cremation Services online at www.londoncremation.com