Janis Eleanor Dean

Other Events and Attributes:

• Obituary: Feb 2014; CARLSBAD, Calif. - Janis Eleanor (Dean) Harris died peacefully on February 3, 2014 at her home in Carlsbad after a brief illness, with her three children at her side. Janis was born in Gardner, Mass. on February 15, 1931, the daughter of Elgie (Higgins) and F. Bradley Dean, and grew up and resided in Orange, Mass. She attended Orange High School where she was the band majorette and singer. Janis later attended Bay Path Junior College in Longmeadow. She married Edward S. Harris from Orange in June 1952 while he was in the Army, and they had short stint living in New Jersey during which she enjoyed New York City visits. They settled in Orange where she had three children, volunteered at the Greenfield United Way and assisted in the 1964 World Sport Parachuting Championship faculties group in Orange. She was a sailor and a skier, doing it all with her special style. Later in her life she followed her lifelong love of music, studying voice at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and Longy School of Music in Cambridge. Janis worked professionally as a real estate agent in Cambridge and later in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she also continued to enjoy participating in art and music. She returned east to Mashpee, Mass., and then again moved west residing in New Mexico and California to be near her daughter. She sang in choruses and choirs throughout the years and in her later years took up painting. She had a great love for nature and beauty, and an eye for interior decoration that always pleased. She was happiest sharing an impromptu joke with the friends she loved and spending time with her family. She leaves behind her two sons, Brooks E. Harris of Carlsbad, Calif., and Grant B. Harris of Woods Hole, Mass., and her daughter, Nina M. Harris of Carlsbad. Her happy laugh and love of life will remain always in their hearts. A Life Celebration service will be held on July 12, 2014 at 2 PM, at Central Congregational Church, 93 South Main St., Orange, Mass. Headstone dedication will take place in South Cemetery following the service. Witty?s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to United Way of Franklin County, 51 Davis St, Greenfield, MA 01301 (413) 772-2168. You may offer your sympathy online at www.wittyfuneralhome.com.

Notes:

Name:
I am using the spelling of her maiden name without the 'e" as in her obituary.

[Tribe of Calvin]

Janis married Edward S. Harris [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]