Mary Jane Harris

Mary Jane Harris passed away peacefully May 20, 2017 surrounded by her loving family at Sentara Leigh-Memorial. She was the widow of John (Jack) Harris, a retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer. They shared 40 years of marriage before Jack passed on October 15, 1990. She was cared for by her three children, Christine Smith, Jacqueline Kroth, and Robert (Bobby) Harris.

Mary Jane was the only daughter of the late James and Christine Donovan. She grew up in Hazleton, Pennsylvania with her three brothers: Earl, John, and James (Jimmy.) She was known affectionately as Jane or Janie and graduated from Hazleton High School in 1946. As children, the Donovan’s took trips on the train into Atlantic City courtesy of their father’s profession as a machinist for the railroad. Jane’s first job was behind the counter of the soda fountain at Hazle Drug Store on Broad Street. Considered the local meeting place, Jane served ice cream and pop to her friends and neighbors. She met the love of her life, Jack, when he strolled in and ordered a sundae one afternoon.

After their marriage in December of 1950, their daughter Christine was born while the couple still resided in Hazleton, PA. Jack joined the Navy and the couple traveled to Hampton, Illinois, and back to Tidewater where Jack remained stationed at Naval Station Norfolk. Jacqueline, their second daughter, was born in Illinois and Robert completed the family, born at Portsmouth Naval.

The little family moved to Virginia Beach and their home at 629 Constitution Drive. Mary Jane took pride in the home she created for her three children and the community she felt within her neighborhood. After the death of her husband, Jane and her son Robert remained in the home until this year. Robert took care of the home and his mother for many years. It was here they enjoyed the companionship of their beloved pets: Cuddles, Madison, Powder Blue and Hershey (the chocolate lab named for Hershey, Pennsylvania.)

Over the course of her life, Mary Jane was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars at Phoebus. Here she assisted in fundraising and providing services to our veterans and active duty military. She was a Deacon of the Pembroke Church of Christ, leading bible studies, organizing church socials, and providing fellowship to all members of the Church. Mary Jane was known for her cooking, and spent time organizing dinners for those in need and the rotational “reception schedule” where members provided cookies and cakes after every Sunday Service. Mary Jane’s kindness and generosity extended to all she knew.

If you ask anyone for a memory, it almost certainly involves the phrase “She loved,” “She taught,” or “She helped.” Jane helped multiple families throughout the years, watching their children after school, but there were none that she loved more than her children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren. She was a loving Nana, traveling the world to visit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whether it be by plane to Hawaii, California, or Germany, or by car to South Carolina and Kentucky.

Nana leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son Robert Harris. Her grandchildren Chelsea M. Smith, David J. Kroth, Daniel R. Smith, Donovan J. Kroth, and Kaz R. Kroth, and their parents Christine Smith, Raymond (Spud) Smith, Jacqueline Kroth, and David Kroth. And of course, her beautiful great-grandchildren Katherine Leighanne Kroth, daughter of Kaz and his fiancé Ginnilynn, David Naranjan Dhillon Kroth, son of David John and Indy Kroth, and the newest addition to the family Annabelle Rose Kroth, second daughter to Kaz and Ginnilynn. She is also survived by a host of loving sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and additional family and fiends.