Barbara Ann Harris

Barbara Ann Harris was born in Beatrice, Nebraska to John Wendell Harris and Paisley Ann Harris. During her early years the family lived in Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. Barbara graduated from Washington Senior High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After beginning college at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, she completed her Bachelors and Masters degrees and teaching credential at Arizona State University.

Barbara was a deeply committed special education teacher serving at Redbird and Jordan Elementary schools in Mesa, Arizona. Barbara received an Outstanding Teacher award from the Mesa Public School District in 1991 and the Educator Award from the Mesa Arc Board of Directors for Service to People with Disabilities in 1992. During 1991-92, Barbara served a term as President of the Arizona Council for Exceptional Children. She maintained connections with many of her students and their families. After her teaching career, she worked at Changing Hands Books, a perfect fit for a lover of reading. After retirement she volunteered at Stable Influence, an equine therapy service, as well as with a number of feline rescue organizations.

Barbara loved the desert and was a member of the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Desert Botanical Garden. As a child, her family frequently took vacations in Door County, Wisconsin, and Barbara was a Life Member of The Ridges Sanctuary, a preserve known for its many species of orchids. Donations in memory of Barbara could be made to any of those organizations.

Barbara is survived by her brother John Harwood Harris, sister Paisley Jane Harris, and niece Paisley Sylvia Hoffman, many cousins, and long-time friend Jason Pace.

Plans for a memorial service will be shared at a later date