Obituary: Mary Louise Harris 94, of East Haven, longtime of West Haven

Obituary courtesy of Keenan Funeral Home:

Mary Louise Harris, 94, of West Haven and East Haven, CT passed very peacefully at YNHH. Daughter of LeRoy Upham Bailey and Gertrude C (nee: Coffey) Bailey. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Childs Harris and son Edward LeRoy Harris, grandson Edward LeRoy Harris II and infant granddaughter Francesca Mae Harris. Survived by her children, Donna Harris of East Haven with whom she resided with for a number of years, Deborah (Raymond) Wheeler of Australia, Kenneth (Theresa) Harris of West Haven and Sondra (Robert) West of Williamsburg, VA. Grandchildren, Christopher Blasczyk of East Haven, Mary-Beth (Blasczyk) Prete of West Haven, Rachael (Wheeler) and husband Sean Coughlin of California, Caitlin Wheeler and husband Gaire Tane of Australia, Shauna (Wheeler) and husband Sean Draper of Australia, Brieanna (Harris) and husband Jonathan Rincon of Utah, Katherine (Harris) and husband John Deng of Virginia, and Jackie-Lynn Harris of Arizona. Great Grandchildren, Marissa Prete, Finn and Wyatt Coughlin, Karis, Eli and Ava Rincon, Kuol and Aluel Deng, Hazel and August Draper, and the newest little one is Owen Wheeler Tane. Also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

A lifelong resident of West Haven, CT and graduated from West Haven High School in 1948, later resuming school to obtain her LPN License, a longtime dream. She enjoyed a long career at St. Raphael's Hospital, retiring in 1995. She loved to knit and made many mittens, sweaters for her children and (especially her wonderful Irish Sweaters worn by many friends and family members to the New Haven St. Patrick's Parade). She had an interest in genealogy and traced both sides of her family, with family ties to the DAR - before computers and LDS search engine. She also loved to read and do her crossword puzzles.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Forgotten Felines, Westbrook, CT or The Animal Haven, North Haven, CT (or shelter of one's choice).

Graveside services will be held Saturday, May 11th, Beaverdale Memorial Park, New Haven at 11 a.m.