Margaret Leach Harris

Born in Brooklyn, NY on August 5 of 1915, Margaret Leach Harris enjoyed more than 90 years of extraordinary well-being and fellowship, surrounded by supportive friends, devoted relatives and an adoring, extended family.

She was a well-educated (Middlebury'36, and Columbia University'63) and well-traveled woman of gracious charm, the mother of four lively children, the wife of a devoted husband in a marriage that lasted for more than 57 years, a professional librarian and a cherished member of the Lincoln, Vermont community in which she owned a home for 66 years. Widowed in 1995, Margaret led an independent life that was ever-engaged and never-complaining. A devoted member of The Forest and Field Club, a soprano in the church choir, a member of the Ladies Aid and Industria and a tireless volunteer at the Lincoln Library, she led a later life of contribution to those things that strong communities are built upon.

Nicknamed "Sunny" in her youth, her disposition was always positive, supportive of others, interested in everything, generous to a fault and always willing to act in a play, sing for any reason at all, or organize some special, memorable event. In chronological order, she lived in Brooklyn, Darien , CT; Middlebury and Saxton's River, VT; Culver, Indiana; Odense, Denmark; back to Darien; Manhasset; Istanbul, Turkey; Great Neck; and finally, for more than 33 years, in her beloved hills of Lincoln. In the course of these travels, she acquired her education, raised her family, doted on her friends and taught her children the things that shaped them as people.

To her eldest son, Richard, she revealed the natural world of toads, frogs, turtles and birds, leading to his ultimate role of Marine Biologist and defender of the Westport, CT environment and water quality. To her second son Bradley, she taught a respect for the origins of people and places, leading him to his destiny as a history teacher and Smithtown New York's Town Historian. To her daughter, Virginia, she instilled a respect and curiosity for other peoples and cultures, leading her to her career as professor of Middle Eastern Studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. And to her youngest son, Stephen, she revealed the mystery of ancient buildings and cathedrals, leading him to his lifelong fascination with construction and architecture.

To her husband Travis, she extended an adventurous willingness to follow him anywhere, waited for him during the war years, and kept his home organized, cheerful and ringing with laughter. More then once, their various homes were open to Danish and Turkish "sons and daughters," extending the circle of the Harris family welcome. Her Middlebury College classmate and sister-in-law, Agnes Taylor of Rutland, VT, were life-long friends and shared the duties of caring for elder relatives as their time of dependency came and went. And to all of them, always, she gave her unqualified love and unwavering support.

Margaret stopped breathing slightly before 3 a.m. on Monday, May 15, and slipped quietly away from her care-givers, friends and family to a place free from the discomforts and indignities of her mercifully-short physical and mental decline. Any contributions made in her memory should be directed to The Addison House at 152 College Street, Middlebury, VT, 05753, where the angels amongst us do important work.

On Thursday, June 1, at 11 a.m., her family and church community will offer a celebration of her life and a spirited farewell at the United Church in Lincoln.