Lois V. Harris

Lois V. Harris, a 51-year resident of the Olympia area, passed away from natural causes on May 21st at the age of 95 years, in San Antonio, Texas. At the time of her death she was staying with her daughter Judith Harris and close friend Patricia Farrell. She was preceded in death by her husband, James K Harris, who passed away in 1983, as well as her sister Berle V. Wrights, who passed away in 1993. Lois was born and raised in Grangeville, ID, to Harry G and Ida G Vincent. She often fondly referred to herself as a “Salmon River Savage.” Following high school, Lois went to business school in Spokane, Washington and was subsequently employed in Washington DC as a secretary at the Department of Commerce during World War II, while her husband James served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater. She culminated her career in 1983, serving as the Legal Secretary to Chief Justice Robert Brachtenbach in the Washington State Supreme Court. Lois was active in the community and in local, regional and national fraternal organizations, including The Order of Amaranth, in which she served as Royal Matron of Capitol Court (twice), and Washington State Grand Royal Matron. She was also actively engaged in Masonic-affiliated fraternal organizations, serving as Worthy Matron in the Olympia Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Daughters of the Nile Selah Club, Ladies of the Oriental Shrine, Olympia Orthopedic Guild and the Olympia Women’s Club. She loved music, being an accomplished pianist, and having an active and inquisitive mind, she loved to read and travel. She is survived by, her son, James and daughter-in-law Kathleen, grandchildren Scott, Cory, Lorien and Dan, and 3 greatgrandsons, Inoke, Ezra and Jack and by her daughter Judith and close friend Patricia.

A memorial service is planned for 10:00am on Friday, May 31st at Mills and Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater, followed by interment at Olympic Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, the Amaranth Scholarship Fund or to the charity of your choice.