Jill Harris

Jill Harris was born in Taos, New Mexico to Jack Stinnett and Mildred Tice Stinnett on June 18, 1946. After her parents' military service at the Manhattan Project, the family settled in Taos. Jill was known as the only redheaded Navaho. She wore moccasins until third grade, when the family homesteaded outside Farmington. Childhood and teen activities ran the gamut from raising sheep for FFA and riding horses to dancing ballet. She graduated from Farmington H.S. and in 1967 married Jim Harris, whose Army career allowed them to travel and live around the world, which fulfilled her love of travel.

After more than a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Jill was surrounded by family and friends when she passed away on Sept. 8, 2011. She is survived by her husband, Jim, children Mark Harris and Shannon Lane, their spouses Beverly Harris and Michael Lane, her grandchildren Nathaniel, Jeremy and Julian Lane and Blair Harris. Other survivors include special cousins Prudence and Edward Rosner and extended family Molly Summers, Maureen and Scott Summers and their daughters Caitlin and Courtney.

Jill was passionate about being involved in her family's activities. Cub Scout den mother, Weblo's leader, classroom volunteer, tutor for children and adults with reading disabilities, all aspects of school musicals, and number one sports fan if any family member was playing.

Hobbies included needlepoint, camping and fishing, shopping, reading, doing crossword puzzles in ink and bragging on her family, but NOT COOKING.

To honor Jill's wishes, the family strongly encourages contributions to Willamette Valley Hospice or Willamette Valley Humane Society in lieu of flowers.

Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 AM in the chapel at Howell-Edwards-Doerksen, 1350 Commercial St. SE, Salem, Oregon. Private interment will be held at a later date.