Obituary of Florence Harris

HARRIS: Florence Edna Harris (nee MacInnis) who was born in Summerside, P. E. I. on July 13, 1920 passed away December 21, 2007 at the age of 87. Florence was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Carlyle Harris on June 4, 1999 and by her five brothers Wendall, Frank, Charles, Walter & James MacInnis and her parents, Ambrose & Amy (nee Craig) MacInnis. Florence is survived by her younger sister Leonora Lecky (nee MacInnis). She is also survived by her 11 children along with many grand children and great grand children including: Ivan & Jackie Harris, their daughter Paula Clark (son Nathan) and their daughter Michelle & husband Kent Smith (3 children Joshua, Meghan and Ethan) Ron & Claudette Harris and their son Levi Gordon & Bev Harris, their daughter Sherri & husband Evan Stephens (two daughters Amy and Mira) and their son Craig & wife Rebecca Kathleen McDonald and her son Scott & wife Carmela (2 children Jaedon, Alex), her son Pat and her daughter Marie Susan & Ken Rutherford, their son Ken Jr. & wife Jen (3 children KC, Alex & Tory), their daughter Laura & husband Joel Luyt (2 children Isaac & Egan), their son John (son Jonah), their son Pat & wife Jana (daughter Serena) , their daughter Sarah and husband Gabriel Lepage (son Andrew) and their son James Phil & Carol Harris and their son Logan Neil & Laurie Harris, their son Donavan & wife Laura (2 children Maxwell & Clayton), their daughter Jill and their daughter Janice & husband Lee Haughian (2 children Brody & Jordy) Carl Harris and his son Robert Paul & Theresa Harris and their 5 children Katrina Daniel, Brady, Neil and Joel Marianne & Harland Lesyk and their 2 children Matthew and Katie Pat & Dawn Harris and their 3 children Regan, Ryley (daughter Booke) and Hannah. Funeral services were held on Friday December 28, 2007 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Lloydminster, Alberta. Donations in memory of Florence may be made to ProLife or Mission Hope. The following eulogy was given by Florence's niece Sister Olive MacInnis: It is an honor for me to give this Eulogy. Florence as we all know would not want a lot of fuss so this will be a story time as we gather with Florence at her table over a cup of tea. Florence was born July 13th, 1920 in Summerside PEI. Her parents were Ambrose and Amy MacInnis. Florence was the 2nd youngest in a family of 7 children, (5 boys & 2 girls). She went to school in Summerside at St Mary's Convent and was (as she put it) lovingly taught by the Nuns, Sisters of Notre Dame. In her younger years Florence was a bit of a Tomboy. With 5 older brothers, Florence felt she had to prove that she could do whatever the boys did including sneaking on to ships in the harbor and diving off the ships into the water. One day she was climbing a huge tree in their back yard with her oldest brother, (my Dad Wendell) she got into some difficulty and was about to fall when my Dad somehow got a hold of the back of her sweater with his teeth and held her until help arrived. One winter when Florence was about 11 years old, she and her sister Lea and other children were skating on the Power Station Pond. The contest was on to see who could skate the closest to the open hole in the Pond. Guess who won? Yes, Florence won! But she also fell into the open water and couldn't get out. A local boy took off his skates and swam under the ice to get to Florence and save her from drowning. Two hours later when Florence was back at home warm and dry, she asked her mother if she could go and skate on the Pond. Following her schooling, Florence worked at Holman's Dept Store in Summerside in the Ladies' Department. Florence met Ron Harris during the 2nd World War when Ron was stationed in Yarmouth N.S. and was at the Summerside Air Base for training. Ron and Florence were married when Ron was granted a 3 hour leave from active duty. They lived in Yarmouth and when it came time for Ivan to be born, Florence traveled by train to Summerside and Ivan was born in January 1943. It was shortly after this time; March 1943 that I first met Florence; on the day I was born. She came over to our house to help my mother and family on the day that I was born at home. I wasn't consciously aware of Florence but her sharing of the story surrounding my birth and her generosity to my family at that time has touched me deeply. After the War, Ron & Florence moved to Saskatoon. Ron JR & Gordon were born in Saskatoon. In 1948, Ron and Florence and their 3 boys moved to Lloydminster where Ron and a business partner started Harris Electric Co Ltd. Moving to Lloydminster was a big change for Florence. In PEI she was used to running water, indoor toilets and fine homes. Their first home in Lloydminster had no running water and an outhouse at the back of the yard. Parts of Lloydminster were built over a slough and all the yards in their neighborhood were black gumbo and mud especially when wet. In Lloydminster the family started to grow with the births Kathleen, Susan, Phillip, Neil, Carl, and Paul. At age 16, in 1959, a more conscience meeting occurred when I arrived in Lloydminster from PEI to join this expanding and loving family. Once again Florence reached out to my Mother who was at that time trying to raise 6 children on her own. I was invited to Lloydminster by Ron and Florence to help with the children and to continue my schooling. Marianne and Patrick were born into the Harris family bringing the total to 11 children. Many of us know that Florence's dream was to have 12 children; however, following Patrick's birth, Florence was advised by the doctor not to have any more children. It was around this time that I received the honorary title of being Florence's 12th kid! This was and is an honor for me as I always felt very grateful to be part of this happy and loving family. During those 4 years I learned a lot that later helped me in my journey through life. Florence taught me how to take time with the children. She would say Olive don't worry about the cleaning let's spend time with the children. One of her favorite lines was "you can't spoil a child with too much love." Florence also insisted on coffee breaks. It was our time to visit as she wasn't one to chat when working. Florence was a wonderful cook and there was always enough food to feed all gathered around that huge family table as well as for the extra person or two that Ron Sr. would surprise her with. Florence was a faith filled person and it was this faith that gave purpose and meaning to everything and everyone. Florence was an active member of the CWL participating in numerous activities including the Fall Suppers. Florence was actively involved in some of the first Al-Anon meetings in Lloyd. She said that they were primarily support groups for the wives of the men who were attending AA meetings. In the years before Lloydminster had a women's emergency shelter, Florence with a few other local women opened up their homes to provide temporary shelter for abused women and their children. Florence was actively involved in weekly Prayer Groups, RCIA, Scripture Courses and other related activities. She was part of a large prayer chain for many years. Florence loved to read and integrated what she read into her life. She was interested and cared deeply about what was happening in the world. She cared about the planet; God's beautiful creation with a great passion for recycling. Florence was a private person in many ways and yet social, hospitable and loving. As Sister Margaret stated Florence was whole and integrated "her outside matched her inside." Ron and Florence have been a wonderful support to me throughout my life and ministry as a Sister of Mission Service. During a special trip around the world that Philip and Carol gave them they dropped into the steaming jungles of Papua New Guinea to visit. Florence found the heat and humidity very oppressive but enjoyed coming to the health clinic with me. She loved to hold the babies and smile with the women and children. She couldn't speak their language but her loving presence spoke deeply to them. Florence valued her independence and worked hard at maintaining her independence until the day she died. At the same time Florence was very appreciative of the generous care received from her loving family, her doctors, and nurses, care givers, Fr. Lawrence & Fr. Jan and her friends. She told me that she was just plain spoiled. I said I am happy because you have spoiled many people in your lifetime. To my loving Harris cousins, Florence loved each one of you for who you are and for who you continue to become. She believes in you and in the many talents and gifts present in you. As Neil said Mom reminded us to use our God given talents and you have, you are using them. Each one of you, each of us present here today have been woven into the Tapestry of Florence's life. This Tapestry isn't finished with Florence's death, we, with our various colors, textures and shapes continue to warm and heal the world with love, laughter, hope, and faith. I would like to conclude with an adapted reading of a Prayer that I shared with Florence taken from a book by Fr. Edward Hays entitled Prayers of a Planetary Pilgrim. My precious children, relatives and friends, my love for you is truly timeless. I leave myself to your memory with love. I give you what no thief can steal; the memories of our times together, the tender, love-filled moments, the successes we have shared; the hard times that brought us together and the roads we have walked side by side. I take with me your love and the millions of memories of all that we have shared. Fear not nor grieve at my departure, you whom I have loved so much, for my roots and yours are forever intertwined. Thank you! And I love you! Card of Thanks The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses that cared for Mom when she was at home and at the Lloydminster hospital. We would also like to thank all those involved in all parts of the memorial service and the funeral mass. Thank you to the CWL Ladies for providing lunch and to the McCaw family for your compassion. Finally, thank you to everyone for the prayers, flowers, donations and the phone calls. We will always remember your thoughtfulness. Donations may be made to Pro-Life, Hope Mission or charity of choice.