Margaret Mary Harris

Margaret was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Mary Bradley Kazlauskas and Joseph August Kazlauskas. She was raised in Newington, Connecticut and graduated from Newington High School. After moving to North Palm Beach, Florida, she attended Palm Beach Community College to study nursing. Upon graduation she worked as a Registered Nurse primarily at St. Mary’s Medical Center for more than 40 years specializing in Endoscopy.

Margaret met the love of her life Douglas Jean Harris and moved to Jupiter, Florida in 1981. They were married for more than 37 years before Doug’s passing in March 2019. Together they raised two wonderful daughters, Karen Jean Harris and Megan Anne Harris. Margaret spent many joyful years as a soccer mom, Girl Scout co-leader, dance mom, and band/colorguard mom. She also found great joy being “Mama” to her two grandchildren Jaina Anne Williams and Jason David Williams Jr.

After retirement and the death of her husband, Margaret became a camp nurse, living at the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp where she cared for the campers’ mosquito bites, broken bones, heat stress, and illnesses. Being a member of the camp staff allowed her to care for children and share her love of nature. She found healing living in the woods, the love of a good dog, Russell, and a sense of community with friends and neighbors.

Margaret also had enthusiasm for travel and family vacations. She planned summer vacations to national parks, camping trips with the Girl Scouts, and special adventures to Disney World. She was also one to get up and go whenever someone suggested a vacation like a cruise to Alaska, Ireland, Mexico, and Great Britian. Her response to fun adventures was always “I’m in!”

Margaret’s cancer diagnosis shook her family, and we were deeply saddened by how quickly it took her. She leaves her two daughters, Karen Harris and Megan Harris and her brother, John Kazlauskas, all from Florida. She also leaves her sister, Marianne Hogan, and nephew, Brian Hogan, of Connecticut. She was blessed with two beloved grandchildren, Jaina Williams and her brother, Jason Williams, both of Florida.

Margaret’s wake will be held at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 754 US Highway 1, NPB from 4-6 PM on Friday, June 20. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, June 21 at noon at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyala, 9999 N. Military Trail, PBG. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park, in Tequesta.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s name can be made to the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, https://www.gssef.org/