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BORN
1940
DIED
2010
Hilma Harris Obituary
1940 - 2010
Hilma Harris, 70, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 14, 2010 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was born April 16, 1940 in Sonora, California, and grew up nearby in Tuolumne, California.
She graduated from Summerville High School in 1958, and treasured the lifelong friendships she made both growing up and in high school. She and her classmates remained close throughout the years, celebrating their 50th reunion in 2008.
She attended Chico State, where she met her husband, Mike Harris. They were engaged in February of 1959, and married in August 1961. She graduated in 1962 with a degree in Elementary education. Upon her graduation, she moved to Weaverville, where she taught second grade for one year before Mike joined the Air Force.
Life as an Air Force wife treated her well, and included stops in San Antonio, Waco, Sacramento, Merced, Roswell, and Michigan, where she gave birth to both of her children. Mike retired from the Air Force in 1970, and the family moved back to Weaverville. She worked as a substitute teacher until 1976, when she accepted the job as the librarian at Trinity High School, where she worked until retiring in 2004. During those years, she touched many lives, and was a friend to many students and teachers.
She was active in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, and continued her Masonic activities in the Order of Eastern Star as an adult. She was Worthy Matron of Saint John's Chapter #14 in 1978, and served as Deputy Grand Matron in 1984. She was also Mother Advisor to the local Rainbow Assembly.
In 1996, Mike was diagnosed with kidney cancer, which took his life in April of 1997. Hilma was also diagnosed with breast cancer during this time. She overcame the disease in 1997, and celebrated being ten years cancer free in 2007 with a luncheon that included many of her friends and her family.
Upon her retirement, she was active in volunteering at the chamber of commerce, working part time at Olson's Stoneware, and taking trips to see her family. During this time she also enjoyed counted cross stitch, traveling with friends, reading, and of course, any game of bridge she could find.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivar and Margaret, and her husband, Mike. She is survived by her brother, John, of West Covina, her daughter, Charlene of Phoenix (Eric), and her son, Bill of Monterey. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren: Corinne, Hannah, Emma, Nathan, and Rosalie.
A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, November 22, at 10 AM at
All Saints Episcopal Church in Redding, followed by an Interment ceremony at
Weaverville Cemetery at 2 PM the same day.
Remembrances may be made to Trinity Scholarship Foundation, the American Cancer Society,
or a charity of choice.
Please sign the guestbook at http://obituaries.redding.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Hilma Harris
Carolyn Wells
November 23, 2010
Bill and Charlene...I was very sorry to hear about your mom's passing. Your family has always been so close to mine over the years and it's hard to picture our lives without her. Your mom was such a great support to my mom after my dad died and I know she will be missed dearly. Please know that you are in our prayers and I will think of Hilma often and smile at the memories.
Love Carolyn Wells ( Stewart)
Vickie (Chambers) Bellus
November 23, 2010
Hilma was a very good friend to me during the time I was in Rainbow and when my sister and I joined Eastern Star. She had a way of making me laugh when I needed it, I will miss Hilma and I can't wait to see her again in Heaven, I'm hoping the angels can play loud music so we can sing together again!
November 22, 2010
To the family and friends of Hilma Eckman Harris:
It was with utter disbelief when my sister Laura Lee called to advise us that our cousin Hilma had passed away.
I have many fond memories of the Eckman family, Marg, Ivar, Hilma and John oh so many years ago when the Prince's frequently spent summers in Tuolumne. As Hilma and I were of the same age, we shared many adventures during those times.
Today,I think I'll miss Hilma's Christmas letters detailing the events and achievements of the family over the past year. She had a way of putting her thoughts into what essentially became a family journal.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, it was not possible to join you today in celebrating Hilma's life. For that I am deeply sorry.
In February of this year, we lost our oldest daughter Laurie to cancer. Consequently, it is with complete understanding that we know the grief and remorse of family and friends at this most trying time.Please be assured that we are with you in spirit and hope you will reflect on all her wonderful achievements over the course of her lifetime. All who knew her are better for that experience.
Most sincerely,
Richard & Judy Prince
November 21, 2010
Bill, Charlene and Family
Your Mom was one of my very special friends as we started school together in Tuolumne and never were out of tough after that. Her devotion to the memories of those school memories will be missed. Especially the parts that she played in making them.
I will certainly miss her as I know all of her Summerville classmates will.
My thoughts and prayers are with your families during these trying times.
Bob Dungan
jamie baudizzon
November 21, 2010
we will miss her very much. she was very special to me both through high school experiences and rainbow.
November 20, 2010
Bill, Charlene and Family,
What a wonderful person your mother was. I know you will miss her dearly. I know the grandchildren will too. She was certainly a special "Nana". I am so thankful that you all have wonderful memories of your mother and grandmother. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kathy Goode
November 20, 2010
Dear Bill, Charlene and family,
Your Mother Hilma touched our lives in so many ways over the years. My husband Ben (Hilma's classmate) has always spoken so highly of her and I was so fortunate to build a special friendship with her over the years. She was such a unique woman who touched so many lives in such a positive way. She had such a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit and a deep, loving concern for her family. Her news letters to her classmates over the years kept us all connected and close. She will be dearly missed and we send our thoughts and prayers to you during this most difficult time. God bless you all.
Ben and Diane Kuykendall Crows Landing, CA
November 20, 2010
Hilma was a friend to all and an inspiration to generations of high schoolers who met in the comfort of the library to dream their dreams and plot their futures. She will be sorely missed! The Brophy Family
Elaine (Raynard) Grossman
November 19, 2010
Thoughts and prayers to Charlene, Bill, and all the friends and family that benfited from Hilma touching their lives.
Shona (Furtado)Fielden
November 19, 2010
Mrs. Harris was an important figure in my High School life. I was fortunate to be her library aide my freshman through junior years at Trinity High School. She was always pleasant and happy to see me, and had a great rapport with all of the students. She and Mike were wonderful people. My deepest condolences to all of the family.
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