Irene A. Harris

Her parents, Arthur Melville and Edith (Aurner) Simmons welcomed their daughter into the world on October 1, 1916 in Kingston, IL.

Her thirst for knowledge, found Irene completing two masters degrees, one from Columbia University. Her first degree focused on home economics, her second on her life’s passion, that of teaching and reading. It was while attending Columbia University that she met a young man, Raymond Parks Harris, who stole her heart away. The couple were married for 42 years until his passing in 1983.

Earning a living early on was certainly no stranger to Irene who began her teaching career at the age of 16. She took a hiatus from teaching to pursue her greatest passion, that of raising her family. Once they were established in life, Irene returned to teaching reading at the Yonkers, New York Public School, from which she retired at age 83..

Irene resided in Mt. Vernon, NY for eleven years, later moving to Thornwood, NY where she resided until moving to Keene two years ago. She was very active within the communities that she resided in.

Irene enjoyed swimming, and would swim daily, then as she got older, she would swim weekly, swimming up until the age of 100.

She will be greatly missed by many, especially her five sons, James A. Harris of Greenfield, MA, David P. Harris and his wife, Cathy, of East Meredith, NY, Daniel O. Harris of Yonkers, NY, Thomas W. Harris and his wife, Patti, of Plymouth, VT, Jonathan C. Harris and his wife, Tanya, of Pleasant Valley, NY; her grandchildren, Cynthia Cole and her husband, Mike, Kristen Bryant, Julie Binder and her husband Jeremy, Charles Harris, Christy Harris, Keith Harris and Sasha Harris; four great-grandchildren, Alexander Bryant, Ethan Bryant, Dylan Binder, Derek Binder; and many nieces and nephews. Two brothers, Burton Simmons and Phillip Simmons; and a sister, Elizabeth Bishop, predeceased her.

At Mrs. Harris requests, services will be private.