Lois Estelle Harsh

Lois Estelle Harsh (nee Sheaffer), beloved wife and mother passed away peacefully from this physical life on October 1, 2014 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, She was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on March 28,1926 the only child of Herbert and Mary Sheaffer.

Lois graduated from Paradise High School in 1944 and from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education in 1948. She taught vocal music at Penn Manor High School, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and several grade schools from 1948 to 1958. While at Penn Manor, she directed the Glee Club and Girls Chorus. Her musicians performed annual Christmas Concerts and operettas both of which were attended by hundreds of students and families.

In 1957, she married Lieutenant Eugene Harsh, USAF, and in 1958 accompanied him to an assignment at Niagara Falls, New York. She taught vocal music in North Tonawanda, New York schools until 1960 when their first son Douglas was born in Buffalo, New York. A second Son Jeffrey was born in 1964 in Colorado Springs. In the following years she accompanied her husband to Air Force assignments at The Pennsylvania State University and in Colorado, Mississippi, Alabama, Republic of the Philippines, and Nebraska. Her deep love of music led her to participate in church choirs at every location. In Colorado Springs, Lois sang with the First Presbyterian Church choir for 35 years and made many friends who respected her kind, loving spirit. She was a First Presbyterian Church Deacon and taught children’s Sunday school classes. Throughout her life, music was her joy through which she witnessed her faith.

Lois leaves behind devoted husband, Eugene Harsh of 57 years and loving son Jeffrey Harsh. She was preceded in death by son, Douglas Harsh, and parents Herbert and Mary Sheaffer.

Visitation will take place Wednesday, October 8, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 219 East Bijou Street, Colorado Springs followed by a reception in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church Music Ministries or the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region