Susan (Sue) Harris passed away in her sleep on May 30, 2022, after 92 years of loving her family and friends, serving her community and her God.
Born on October 2, 1929 to Alma and Bernard Eilerman of Covington, KY, Sue showed her musical gift early and devoted herself at a young age to the piano. From the age of 11 she lived with Type 1 diabetes, developing the tremendous discipline that resulted in her long life.
After graduating from high school, Sue attended St. Mary of the Woods before earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She also met the love of her life, Thomas (Tom) Harris; they married in 1955 after his service in the Navy. They had 60 happy years together in a strong loving marriage that inspired their children and many others. Tom passed away on February 15, 2016.
The Harris’ four children were lucky enough to have the best parents in the world: Mark Thomas Harris, married to Nancy (Jensen); Michael Joseph Harris, married to Robin (Rhodes); Anne Farrisee, married to William; and Elaine Coyle, married to Jay. Sue was blessed with ten grandchildren: Maren Harris Morrison (husband Riley) and Katy Harris; Mairead (husband Andrew Stein), Scott Harris, married to Changting (Wang), and Laura Harris; Colleen Farrisee and Declan Farrisee; Hailey Coyle, Leah Coyle and Finn Coyle. Her great-grandson, Harris Wang, just turned two. We will all miss her fierce hugs.
Sue is also survived by her beloved little sister Janet Krumme, sisters- and brothers-in-law Mary Alice MacVeigh, Pat and Norb Bruns, and Marilyn and James Harris, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Sue (and Tom) made dear friends everywhere they lived; in Cincinnati, OH, Endwell, NY, Katonah, NY, and at their three residences in Atlanta, GA.
Besides being a wonderful wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandma, aunt, and friend, Sue’s lifelong passion was music. A gifted pianist and choral arranger, she was the volunteer music director at two of her parishes for 20 years, directing choirs, playing weddings and funerals. She taught individual music lessons and elementary and middle school classes for several years.
Sue was a bit of a card shark, her preferred game being bridge, and always up for a game of charades. An avid gardener, she also competed in flower arranging. She sewed and did needlework, read voraciously, traveled as often as she could, and was a much better cook than she ever gave herself credit for. Her smile and her bright silver pixie lit up the room.
Sue loved to wear florals prints. Her family requests that guests, especially female, consider wearing something floral to the service in her honor.
In lieu of flowers family requests memorial donations be made to American Diabetes Association and Catholic Relief Services.
A lunch reception will be held after the optional graveside service. The cemetery is on the way between the church and the reception, but guests may go directly to the reception if they prefer. Directions will be distributed at the church.
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