Barbara June Harris (Slack) was a woman of strength and adventure. Not the Nellie Bly or Amelia Earhart kind. The kind who married, raised nine children, 19 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The kind who led her family on Lewis and Clark-like treks west; except it was the late 1960s, early 1970s – and they were in a Dodge van. The kind who turned weekend trips to the family cottage with her children, grandchildren, and neighborhood children along for the ride, into safaris or riverbank adventures at the nearby creek. Always with flair and grace.
Born June 23, 1932 in Detroit; Barbara moved many times throughout her early life – perhaps the foundation for her sense of adventure. She attended five elementary schools and five high schools in several states. Barbara returned to Detroit and graduated from the High School of Commerce, which focused on business education for female students. After graduation, Barbara held several unique clerical roles including “summary girl,” a 1950s book keeping position; Elliot Addressograph™ operator, an early business machine requiring special training; switchboard operator at the Vernor’s Ginger Ale headquarters office, and retail sales associate, including positions at high-end retailers. She was even an iconic “Avon Lady,” distributing her wares through the neighborhood via her children’s red wagon.
The turning point in her life came when she met her partner for the adventures yet to come – Francis Harris, who became her husband of 63 years. Barbara and Frank seized life and lived it enthusiastically; traveling to nearly all the 50 states, and to Mexico, Canada and Europe, often carrying contact paper-customized beer cases for luggage. Their greatest adventure, however, was everyday life with their nine children.
Barbara loved to sing, a pastime that provided a soundtrack for her life, as well as a useful skill to calm, distract – or tune out – children and grandchildren. She put all the skills and insights
that she learned throughout her life to use in her ultimate role of wife, mother, and grandmother. Her legacy is in her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren; who are spread across the United States, living the life of caring, loving and sharing that they learned from her.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Francis E. Harris, her nine children, Donald Harris (Marsha), Donna Hollingsworth (Duncan), Diane Leong (James), Denise Pazarena (John), Doris Saad (Daniel), Daniel Harris (Jacqueline), Ruby Herter (Ulrich), Debra Kinney (Charlie, dec.), and Duane Harris (Deanna), her 19 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
She also is survived by her siblings, John Slack (Jackie), Juanita Mason (Rick), Judy Bankston, and Janice Hunter (William). She was preceded in death by her brother Ronald Slack (Ronnie) and her sister, Doris Bond (William).
There will be a celebration of her life – and all her adventures – with visitation at Resurrection Funeral Home (40800 Hayes Rd., Clinton Township) on Thursday, May 3 from 3-8 p.m. All who knew her and loved her are welcome! The Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday. The funeral mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church (40501 Hayes Rd., Sterling Heights) on Friday, May 4 at 9:30 a.m. Friends may visit the church beginning at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation at https://www.parkinsonsmi.org/mpf-fundraising/donatenow in the name of Barbara June Harris.
