Friday, July 31, 2009

Margaret A. Harris

Margaret A. Harris died at home in Sarasota, Florida October 18, 2008, following a brief illness. In her 88 graceful years, Margaret blessed the lives of her husband Keith Harris and her three children and their spouses, Owen Harris and Peggy Klimek of Bradenton, Florida; Holly Harris and Charlie Dattola of Cohasset, Massachusetts; and Steve Harris and Patti Zaknich of Renton, Washington. Her grandchildren Emily Harris and Kyle Dattola-Harris brought her strength, purpose and joy to the very end of her days. They all miss her beyond measure. Extended family, special friends, and her beloved cat, Sunny, also mourn her loss.

Born in Belmont, New York, Margaret graduated summa cum laude from Alfred University in 1943 and later earned her master’s degree from the same institution. After retiring from her career as a high school teacher, much of it spent at Whitesville and Wellsville, New York, Margaret returned to her first love, the theater, and several southwestern New York theater groups benefited from her many talents. Favorite roles included Fanny in Watch on the Rhine, Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and Fonsia in The Gin Game. Margaret also served in numerous non-acting capacities from set construction to rehearsal accompanist to assistant to the director and held leadership positions with the Wellsville Players Association prior to her move to Florida in 1987. She found greater fulfillment and took more pride in her theater work than in anything else in her life except her children and grandchildren.

Margaret enjoyed playing the piano, reading, and doing kind things for other people. Donations in her memory should be made to the donor’s local hospice organization or community theater group, Alfred University, Planned Parenthood, or World Wildlife Fund.

Family and friends of Margaret and Keith and Owen, Holly, and Steve are invited to gather at Embser Funeral Home, 17 Schuyler Street in Belmont, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2009, for a service starting at 11:00 a.m. to remember and honor Margaret.

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