Josephine "Molly" Viola Harris

HARRIS, Josephine “Molly” Viola - It is with profound sadness that the family of Josephine (Molly) Harris announce her sudden death at her home in Dartmouth on Friday, December 10, 2021. Born in Falmouth, Nova Scotia on November 11, 1929, Molly was the daughter of the late Joseph Charles Harris and Viola Ida May (Conrad). Predeceased by her brothers Ronald Woodman Harris and Douglas Charles Harris, she is survived by her sister Bessie Harris, her loving nephews: Douglas Harris (Karen), Ronald Allan Harris (Lynn), Blair Harris, Paul Harris (Janet), her niece, Virginia (Clayton), nephew Joey (Joan) and her favorite cousin, Duncan Conrad (Linda) and their children, as well as, many cousins. Molly was a very intelligent quick witted and accomplished woman who was a positive influence on her family, friends, colleagues and the many students she taught throughout the years. Graduating from high school at the age of fifteen, she tried many jobs before finding her real calling as a teacher. In 1951 she graduated from the Provincial Normal College in Truro and began her teaching career in Halifax County and the City of Halifax before moving to Stanstead and Point Clare, Quebec. She returned to Nova Scotia and in 1958 she was hired by the Dartmouth School Board to establish and teach the first auxiliary class for children with intellectual disabilities in the City of Dartmouth. While working, she pursued further education and obtained both a Bachelor of Arts Degree Magna Cum Laude and a Bachelor of Education Degree from Saint Mary’s University in 1970. In 1978-79 she earned an Associateship in Education from the University of London, England. From 1963-73 she was Supervisor of Special Programs for the Dartmouth schools, Assistant Superintendent of Schools from 1975 -1986 and served as Acting Superintendent for a year prior to her retirement. She retired in in 1986. During her career Molly mentored many young teachers, some of whom became lifelong friends, and devoted herself to her students and the creation of better programs and services for them within the school system. After she retired, she maintained an interest in all the students she had taught and loved to meet former students and colleagues to find out how they were faring in life. In 1994 she was recognized as one of Dartmouth’s Memorable Women in a book published by the Dartmouth Historical Society and in 2005 she received further recognition for her contribution to education in the City of Dartmouth in the book, The Dartmouthians: Footprints on Sands of Time 1750-2005” authored by Harry Chapman. A great gardener, an avid lover of crossword puzzles, an adventurous explorer of the highways and byways of Nova Scotia and many parts of the world, a tireless volunteer for many years both in her church and various charitable organizations and a voracious reader, she remained a vibrant and spirited individual until the end of her life. She was interested in the lives of all the members of her family, her friends and their families, her community and the world in which she lived. In the latter years of her life, in spite of suffering from many health problems, she loved to be on the go whether shopping, visiting family and friends, enjoying a special holiday/celebration or making a daily trip to Tim Hortons for coffee and her favorite chocolate chunk cookie. Her family is indebted to the wonderful friends and others who helped and were always there to support her in the last years of her life. Molly enjoyed the time she spent with them and the great camaraderie they shared and, if she were here, would say a heartfelt thank-you for enriching her life to each and every one of them. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 19th from 2-4pm at A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home 217 Portland St. in Dartmouth. The funeral service will be by invitation only at A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home. Committal will follow in St. John’s Cemetery in Fairview. PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION, along with Government issues ID, are mandatory to attend indoor funeral services for those age 12 and older. Masks are required. The funeral service will be live streamed and can be accessed at: https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/42608 To leave an online condolence, please visit: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com