Jeri Lynn Smith Harlan

-Jeri Lynn Harlan, 50, of Austin, TX passed away on March 18, 2010 after a long battle with numerous medical conditions. Jeri was born on September 9, 1959 in Grand Rapids, MI to Betty Ann Smith and the late Jerald Allen Smith. Jeri was one of five children. On June 2, 1984 she married Thomas Adkerson Harlan, who survives.

Jeri completed undergraduate work in counseling and was nearing completion of her Doctorate in Divinity at the American Institute of Holistic Theology. She was a writer and created many poems and short stories including The Earth Within, a children’s story and published a book, Sharing My Cross Through Relationships, a story about the loss of her son, Joshua. She touched many through her addiction and grief counseling and those who knew her appreciated her open heart and compassion. She was a student of The Course of Miracles and enjoyed studying Rudolf Steiner, founder of Anthroposophy and the Waldorf School. She was a big advocate of The Austin Waldorf School, enrolling her son Blake at pre-kindergarten and enjoyed participating in many school activities with Blake until he graduated from high school in 2005.

Jeri was also a founding member of the Resurrection, a non-denominational Christian church in Dime Box, Texas and a co-founder of Emergent Technologies, Inc. with her husband Thomas Harlan.

She enjoyed cooking and many outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing, skiing, cycling, and boating with her family and enjoyed flying with her husband. She was full of life and those who had the privilege to meet her quickly gravitated to her warm nature and embrace. She was unusually witty and brought a warm smile and humor to all occasions. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend.

She is preceded in death by her father Gerald Allen Smith and her son Joshua Allen Harlan. Survivors include her husband Thomas Adkerson Harlan, mother Betty Ann Smith, son Thomas Blake Harlan, stepson William Thomas Harlan and stepdaughter Andrea Lee Harlan; sisters Cathy Hernandez and Sheryl Smith, brothers Steven Smith and Patrick Smith, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, March 23 at 4:30 PM at the Austin Waldorf School Performing Arts Center, 8700 South View Road, Austin, TX followed by a reception for family and friends at the Harlan home.

Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Jeri Harlan Memorial Fund at the Austin Waldorf School, 8700 South View Road, Austin, TX 78737.