Nancy Harris

All who knew Nancy Harris would agree that she was one of the most extraordinary people around. Gracious, and ever mindful of others, a friend of Nancy’s was a friend for life. She was so much more than a mother as she was an advocate, a supporter, a nurturer, and a best friend who was only more so when she became “Nana” to the grandchildren she adored. Nancy was intuitive and able to read people like a book, which stems from her desire to truly know and love those around her. Life will never be the same without Nancy here, but her timeless legacy of love and selfless generosity will be carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

Although the 1930s were some of the most trying days we have faced as a nation due to the Great Depression, the American spirit still remained as evidenced by the completions of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in addition to the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was during this eventful time that Carl and Hazel (Allen) Mavis were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Nancy L., on January 28, 1938, in Harrison, Michigan. She was the third of five children in her family and was raised in the family home alongside her siblings. Nancy’s father owned a local clothing store called Mavis Men and Boys that later branched out to include women’s clothing as well. It was through this experience that she developed her strong work ethic and lifelong love for fashion. Nancy liked hanging with her cousins (who were also her best friends growing up) and together they were known to get into their fair share of mischief playing in the barns and sheds. These cousins, Connie and Maureen, have been so very close ever since.

In many ways Nancy experienced a typical upbringing for the youth of her generation. She was a student at local schools and was very athletic as she was an accomplished figure skater and was also a majorette. When she was 16 Nancy was crowned Miss Independence for the Fourth of July Parade when she was a senior in high school, and she was later a runner up in the Miss Michigan Pageant. While a high school student at Harrison Schools Nancy was also a cheerleader.

After graduating from high school in 1955, Nancy went on to Western Michigan University for two years. It was while at Western that she met the young man who stole her heart. His name was James Harris, and he was three years her senior. He had just returned from serving in the Army for two years, and he was living in the fraternity house at the time. They began dating and often hung out with friends who were friends for life. After falling in love, Nancy and Jim were married on October 25, 1959, at First Congregational Church in Harrison. Together they were blessed with two children, Connie in 1963 and Tom in 1965.

It was at WMU and dating Jim that Nancy met her lifelong friends, known to all as the “Golden Girls”. These women all raised children together and they laughed and loved together. Nancy loved these women and they her, and it’s a relationship that has lasted 50 years.

From the moment she became a mother Nancy fully immersed herself in the role. She didn’t work when her kids were younger so she could focus on caring for them, and she was always one to cater to their many activities.

Once her children were a bit older Nancy worked outside of the home. She was a jewelry representative for years and also worked in her favorite department, the men’s department, as a sales clerk for Jacobson’s Department Store in Kalamazoo for 20 years until they closed. Nancy’s final job in the workforce found her working as a buyer for a clothing store in the Radisson Hotel. Her work required her to travel throughout the region at times. As someone who always liked to look her best, she was known as “Fancy Nancy” in her neighborhood since there were two additional women named Nancy who lived on her street.

Throughout her life Nancy was forever on the go. She was very artistic, painting several landscapes and several fashion pieces in oil that were so good it was clear that she could have been a fashion designer. Nancy also drew. She and Jim enjoyed going out for golf, some swing dancing or to dance to the music of the big bands, and she also liked the theater. As social and outgoing people they frequently traveled with friends, and they also traveled all over to see Connie and her family as she was stationed throughout the world while in the service. Among their many trips were trips to London, Paris, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Hawaii in addition to a cruise around Mexico. Nancy loved the beach and has even been called a sun worshiper who got so tan she was almost black until you saw her beautiful blue eyes. An amazing hostess, she loved having dinner parties complete with cocktails including Christmas Eve gatherings with plenty of games and cards. Nancy also liked to cook a meal with everything just so for the family, she was not able to take that on during last few years of her life, so her daughter took on that role and they would plan those big meals together. Her home was always something to see, too, as she was forever decorating or doing something with her landscaping.

Later in life Nancy continued to appreciate every day she was given. She enjoyed many of her same interests, and when looking to relax she enjoyed reading just about anything, but she really did love a good mystery or thriller. Nancy also had dear friendships with her neighbors, and was always there for coffee, a story, or just to talk. Later, they in turn took care of her and became her family too. Nancy was thrilled to become a grandmother, and of course she loved to fuss over all of her grandchildren, especially the girls with clothes and makeup. She always gave her grandchildren the coolest gifts as they were over the top creative. Nancy and her children were best friends, Tom would stop over for coffee and conversation and she would speak with Connie everyday wherever she happened to be living at the time. She also came with Connie and her family on several family vacations just to be a part of it all. In 2006 Nancy was deeply saddened with Jim’s death, and she was again given a tough pill to swallow with the death of her son in 2010. She also had her own health issues to contend with as she suffered with COPD for several years.

Strong willed and assertive, Nancy was a passionate woman who knew what she liked and wasn’t afraid to go after it. She was a classic beauty who was a sharp dresser with a look that was timeless. Nancy was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who dearly loved her friends, too, as she was social and outgoing. Never one to really criticize, Nancy would instead tell a story, a sort of “life lesson” and when her story was done, she allowed that person, friend or relative to make their own decision. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Nancy L. Harris died on April 24, 2014. Nancy’s family includes her daughter, Connie (Michael) Worline; daughter-in-law, Michele Harris and 4 grandchildren: Tyler, Connor, Kelley and Christiane. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, James Harris in 2006 and by her son, Thomas Harris in 2010. Learn more about Nancy and visit with her family and friends while sharing some food and refreshments on Tuesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 375-2900 where services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow in the Life Story Center. Private burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of South West Michigan.