Diana Harris

Diana (Mackris) Harris, a powerhouse of love, generosity, and creativity, passed away on June 5, 2024. She was lovingly attended by her adoring family, until her final moments. She has left behind a legacy of unwavering dedication to her faith, community and, most of all, to her family.

Diana was predeceased by her beloved husband of 36 years, Nicholas Gus Harris. She was the loving and proud mother of Dean Harris, Nikki (Joey) Felipe, Laura (David) Greenberg, and Demetri (Sandra) Harris, all of Phoenix. Her greatest joy was being the cherished Yiayia of Joseph (Ashley) Felipe, Angelena (Niall) McMahon, Daniel Felipe, Niko Harris, and Kalli Harris, also the beloved Great Yiayia of Kamryn Felipe, Paityn Felipe, Talan Felipe, Zoe Felipe, Emma McMahon, and Elle McMahon.

She was the much-admired sister of Maria (John) Nicholas, and Alexandra (Rev. John) Chakos, and is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Daughter of the late Nikita and Demetra (Festas) Mackris, Diana was born on October 7, 1941, in Pittsburgh, PA, where she grew up, worked, married, and began raising her family. In 1979, the family moved to Phoenix, AZ, where Diana immediately became involved in volunteer outreach at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral as a Sunday School teacher, a member of Philoptochos and the Desert Diamonds, as well as baking for and working at the annual Greek Festival.

Diana made the world around her more beautiful by sharing her superlative talent for sewing, quilting, embroidery, cake decorating, and crafting. Among the many grateful recipients of her creations were family, friends, and several charities. She made blankets and layettes for Sewing for Babies and dog beds for an animal shelter. Diana’s compassionate spirit, along with the memories of love and laughter she brought to those whose lives she touched, have left a legacy that will live eternally in our hearts.

A visitation hour will begin at 9:00 am on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 8202 E. Cactus Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 am, followed by internment at Paradise Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s: https://www.michaeljfox.org/ Or Hospice of the Valley: https://www.hov.org/