With Sympathy: Kate Harris

Kate Harris and her late husband, Rupe Harris were former Association Members who were very involved in local activities in their time here at the Shores. Their daughter Janet and her husband John were also property owners.

Katherine “Kate” Harris, 93, of Warren, Ohio, passed away suddenly while vacationing in Las Vegas, Nev. Kate was born Feb. 2, 1922, in New Castle to Kate and James Buchanan. She delighted telling people her birthday was 2222. Katherine married the love of her life, Rupert “Rupe” Harris, in 1941, and moved to San Fransisco and New London, Conn., trying to be close to Rupe whenever he had shore duty during his World War II submarine service in the Pacific Theater. She worked at the Shenago Pottery and then was secretary to the director of nursing at Jameson Hospital. She was a resident of Princeton and Weigletown before moving to Warren. Katherine was an avid sports enthusiast and lifelong boater. She belonged to the Ashtabula (Ohio) Yacht Club and the Coast Guard Auxillary. She and Rupe rescued many a boaters in distress in their popular boat, “Katherine L.” For many years, they cruised the Great Lakes, Erie Canal and Canada in the “Katherine L.” providing their grandchildren with many adventures at sea. In later years, they moved to Roaming Shores, Ohio, and continued to enjoy Lake Roaming Rock in their pontoon boat. Katherine moved to Shepard of the Valley in Poland, Ohio, in 2011, and continued to vacation in Indiana, Las Vegas and Geneva on the Lake. Up to virtually the day she passed away, Kate was seeing Las Vegas shows, playing bingo, going to auctions and living life to the fullest. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rupert Harris; her son-in-law, James Henry; and her daughter-in-law, Peggy Harris. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Henry and Janet Shaffer of Solsberry, Ind. and Las Vegas; her son, Rupert Harris of Niles, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A private service for the family will be held July 4, 2015, at the Ashtabula Yacht Club. Arrangements were entrusted to the Affordable Crematorium and Burial, 2457 N. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, Nev.