Ann Marie Harrison

Ann Marie passed away August 10, 2023. She is survived by her son, Justin, and his wife Trish, of Canyon Lake, TX; daughter Madeleine and grandchildren (Essam, Omar, Nadim, Farida) in Parsippany, NJ; and many other cherished family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, a brother and husband William (Bill) Harrison who died in 1995.

Born to Hayden and Madeline Hooper when her parents lived in the Texas Panhandle and the closest hospital was across the line in Oklahoma, she was always teased she couldn't say she was a native born Texan like her husband and two children.

Later the family did move to Oklahoma where she graduated from Oklahoma College for Women with a Bachelor of Music Degree. While in college she performed on Oklahoma Television, had many concerts around the state and was a soloist with the Oklahoma Symphony.

Upon graduation Ann Marie auditioned for The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and was one of three accepted from 63 applicants. She was on full scholarship for her three years there. While in Philadelphia she performed in Carnegie Hall with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Upon graduation she became head of the Voice Department of the University of Corpus Christi, Texas and was busy teaching and performing around Texas.

She met her husband, William (Bill) Harrison on a trip to Austin and they were married in 1963. Ann Marie moved to Austin and became a member of the music department of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and began work on her Doctorate from the University of Texas. It was a regret that she was unable to finish but her life took an exciting turn when Bill was offered a position with the Ford Foundation in Egypt to work with English education programs. After seven years with the Foundation, Bill became Vice President of the American University in Cairo. All the while Ann Marie was involved with concerts and was a dedicated supporter of the Cairo Opera Company as well as raising two children.

Three years were spent with The Ford Foundation in Uganda, East Africa from 1969 - 1971. Ann Marie performed in many venues in surrounding areas. One of her many performances was as soloist with the Nairobi Symphony Orchestra.

Returning to Egypt, it soon became evident that there was a need in Cairo and the two of them began International Business Associates (IBA). It started as a consultancy for businesses looking to invest in Egypt, and grew to include the representation for Federal Express and Western Union. IBA also became a publisher of English language magazines. Their titles were Egypt Today, Business Today Egypt. Travel Today and there were also guides for Sinai Travel, Alexandria Travel and Red Sea Travel.

After Bill died in 1995, Ann Marie stayed in Egypt and ran the business for 15 years where the business grew from 93 employees to more than 300. She had so many friends around the world that she kept in touch with regularly. Her many Egyptian friends and employees were also very dear to her.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Tarrytown United Methodist Church or Planned Parenthood or an organization meaningful to you.

Celebration of Life service on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2:00 PM

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home

5416 Parkcrest Dr Austin, TX 78731

(512) 452-8811

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishnorth.com for the Harrison family.