Sharon Harris Obituary

Sharon Lynn Harris was born on November 19, 1957, in Grand Haven, MI, to Frank and Alma Povilaitis. She attended school in Spring Lake, MI, and graduated from Spring Lake High School in 1976. Growing up near Lake Michigan, she quickly found a love for the majestic water and sandy beaches which became a staple point in her life. She would often visit the beach in the early morning and silently sip her coffee and watch as the waves roll in. As a young adult she attended Muskegon Community College, majoring in Journalism. From a young age, she developed a passion for reading especially mystery novels. She was part writer, part detective. She also had an appreciation of fine jewelry, handbags, and apparel. She loved to look good, but vanity wasn't part of her. Her heart ached for those in need especially animals. There wasn't a stray she wouldn't feed, nor an animal she didn't love. She spent her 20's in Grand Rapids, MI where she met her future husband Ron Harris. They wed on September 9, 1989 and had a son, Charles F. Harris born March 11, 1994. She had a phrase that she lived by, "Find your tribe and love them hard". Her son became a beacon of light in her life. She made each day special, even more so on holidays. She was a homemaker, turning any house into a warm, loving, kind place to be. In 1997, her family moved from Michigan to Durango, CO. She soon started work at 2nd Time Around, a consignment shop on 2nd Ave in Durango. It was there she was able to combine her love of clothing, and her eagerness to meet new people to make lifelong friendships. In 2006 she began working in accounting for Directory Plus/Ballantine Communications, Inc., dedicating 14 years to her customers. Again, she made friendships with people and co-workers who she connected with and loved. She experienced tragedy, with a brother dying at a young age, and her father and best friend passing while she was a young adult. She maintained her subtle dry sense of humor and persevered. She learned to fight for what she wanted and be strong no matter what. Her willingness to fight would be no greater than when in May of 2014, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought for five long years and was valiant until the end. Only July 11, 2019, she lost that fight. She passed peacefully at Mercy Hospice House. She is survived by her husband Ron E. Harris, son Charles F. Harris, sister Marlene Marshall, brother-in-law Jim Marshall, nephew David Marshall, nieces Debra Carlton, Amber Viles, Heather Carlton, and Rachel Carlton. No services are planned at Sharon's request. Sharon Lynn Harris

Published by The Durango Herald on Jul. 16, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Sharon was a very special person. To everyone she knew. We shared a friendship that that lasted 42 years. I was blessed to have had so many great times together through those years. I am in awe of how strong she was throughout the difficult treatments she experienced. Sharon handled every situation with grace and a smile. I will be never forget how much our friendship meant to me. It will be a treasure I hold dear to my heart. She loved her family and her son Charlie everyone knew what the light of her life. I will continue to smile when I think of her. Until I see you again, Sharon.... We love you

Mary Koetsier

Friend

July 25, 2019

My beautiful wife made everyday special. If you knew her you loved her. If you didn't you should have. I will see you when I'm done here, sweetheart.
Love you always,

Ron .

July 23, 2019

Sharon was a dear friend who will be greatly missed!

Marie Martin

July 19, 2019

We love you Sharon, and will never forget you.

Dyan and Jon McClure

July 18, 2019

I first met Sharon in 2007 while working at a local consignment shop in Durango. We became fast friends when we bonded over our love of animals, coffee, true crime stories, antiques and how much we both enjoyed being by the water. When I moved 1500 miles away in 2010, Sharon and I kept in close touch, and I always looked forward to her letters and phone calls in which she would often make me laugh in how she would recount her day or week with sharp wit. She adored her family and her companion animals; her heart would break over the suffering of any creature. Sharon was a loyal friend and would never abandon anyone in need--during some of my darkest hours, she was the one friend I could trust entirely. Sharon was the strongest person I ever met, in spite of life doling out so much tragedy to her. My husband recently referred to Sharon as a "warrior" given her courage and dedication in battling her illness, and truly, Sharon was just that, and in so many ways. Thank you to the author of this beautiful tribute to a beautiful person who was dearly loved by so many. She will live on in the people and animals whose lives she touched, and the family she adored.
And Sharon my dear friend, I know that while death ended your life, it can never end our friendship.

Dyan Wilder

July 18, 2019

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