Chris passed away on Sunday February 20, 2022 at the age of 76. Chris was born and raised in Detroit Michigan by her mother and stepdad, Helen and Henry Petrusak. She shared many happy times and crazy antics growing up on Gallagher St. with her younger brother David. Together they enjoyed many outdoor activities such as canoeing and kayaking, going on many group scavenger hunts in their late teens, winning the prize for “most unusual” when they brought back a refrigerator that they found sitting outside. Chris had a sense of humor and enjoyed playing pranks, like completely filling the inside of David’s car with LOTS of balloons, etc. He was happy to have his big sister around and attributes her to keeping he and his friends out of trouble in their younger days.
Chris found her calling in her late 30’s and became a Licensed Practical Nurse attending Wayne County Community College. She was great nurse who enjoyed her work, she was very knowledgeable, caring, and bonded with many of her patients. Her career included providing home care for several quadriplegic patients which she found very rewarding.
While working as a nurse, Chris met her dear friend Patty Kuhn in 1988. Their friendship continued through the years, and they shared many fun filled times, meeting for coffee and carrot cake late at night in the cafeteria at the local Meijer after a shift, then racing Amigo carts around the store, going deer hunting with Patty (too cold Chris said), shopping sprees, going out to eat, many day trips, taking Patty’s elderly aunt who was in her 80’s out to dance at a country western bar, talking on the phone for hours, countless good times. They were a real life “Thelma and Louise.”
After retiring, Chris and her husband Chuck relocated to New Port Richey, Florida. They enjoyed travelling the U.S. with their fifth wheel camper, seeing numerous sights along the way. Chihuahua Lucy was always along for the ride and Cockatiel Gus, visiting family in Michigan and Kentucky in the summers along the way. Chris loved gardening, Spring flowers were always her favorite and she thoroughly enjoyed taking a class in master gardening. She had a keen interest in collecting U.S. coins and currency and in the stock market. She loved going to garage and estate sales. Chris was an avid reader and always had a book with her wherever she went. She loved spending time with family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed all family activities and gatherings, which of late included going to the movies, having dinner, or just sitting outside on the patio together in the sunshine. Chris had a true zest for life and will be deeply missed.
Chris was predeceased by her husband’s Terry Harris and Charles (Chuck) LaFleur, along with her mother and stepdad Helen and Henry Petrusak, and father Felix Sierawski.
Chris is survived by her daughter Camille (Kevin) Luoma, grandchildren Nicholas Luoma and Georgina (Patrick) Reinke, great grandchildren Elizabeth Davis, Robert Heir-Luoma, Cayden, Kiersten, Liam and Maren Reinke. Brother David Petrusak, sister-in-law Lynn Noyes, many nieces and nephews and longtime friend Patty Kuhn.
Stepchildren Michelle (Guy) LaFleur-Rion, Greg (Nina) LaFleur, David (Michelle) LaFleur, Step-grandkids Rachel and Abigail Rion, Jacob and Nicholas LaFleur, Drew and Dalton LaFleur.
There will be no funeral service or public memorial as Chris previously requested. A celebration of Chris’s life will be held later this Spring.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grwilliamston.com for the Harris-LaFleur family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17