Elise Genae Johnson Harrison

1936 - 2017

Elise Genae Johnson Harrison
August 21, 1936 - July 6, 2017
Resident of Santa Cruz
Elise Genae Johnson Harrison, 80, beloved mother of Susan, Scott, and Mark, passed away peacefully on July 6, 2017, at the San Jose Healthcare and Wellness Center, San Jose, CA, with her son Scott by her side. Elise was born on August 21, 1936, in Glen Ridge, NJ. She was raised by her mother Elsa Boehme Johnson (Elston), with her brother Leonard, in Glen Ridge.
Elise attended grade school at Forest Avenue School in Glen Ridge, NJ. She attended high school at St. John Baptist School in Mendham, NJ and was later a member of the Upsala College Choir. She received an Associate's Degree from Vermont Junior College, where she was a feature editor of the school newspaper. She diligently furthered her education later in life and proudly earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from Vermont College of Norwich University.
Elise suffered hearing loss since childhood and was an outspoken champion of deaf culture throughout her life.
Elise raised her children in Springfield, VT, where she also worked as a teacher's aide at Elm Hill Elementary School and a nurse's aide at the Springfield Convalescent Center. She was an excellent typist and worked at a data entry position at Idlenot Dairy, in North Springfield, VT. She worked for many years as a teacher of the deaf in North Troy, VT. She enjoyed her retirement years in Santa Cruz, CA.
Elise was a vibrant, thoughtful woman who devoted herself unselfishly to her children. She was a voracious reader, avid writer and talker who loved language, including sign language. She appreciated art and literature and relished good food. Always seeking ways to express herself artistically, she was a talented oil painter and singer. Elise instilled in her children a love of animals and had many pets throughout her life, all of which she showered with affection.
Elise is survived by daughter Susan Curry and husband Bob of Chesterbrook, PA; son Scott Harrison and wife Misao of Santa Cruz, CA; son Mark Harrison and wife Yumi of Okayama, Japan; brother Leonard Johnson and wife Agnes of Warwick, RI; and four grandchildren: Erin Elise Esson and husband Jared of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada; Asa Curry and wife Kristin of Maynard, MA; Jeremi Harrison of Los Angeles, CA; Simon Harrison of Irvine, CA. She is also survived by two nieces and one nephew: Genae Johnson and husband Jim of Brookline, MA; Lorraine Johnson of Newton, MA; and Lenny Johnson of Cranston, RI; as well as grandniece Kaitlynd Collins and grandnephews Benjamin Collins and Jared Pinto.
Elise was predeceased by her mother Elsa, stepfather George Elston, grandson Charlie Harrison and niece Elizabeth 'Beth' Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made In Memory of Elise Harrison to Friends of Springfield Town Library (FOSTL), 43 Main Street, Springfield, VT 05156. Donations in Elise's name will be used in part to support the delivery of library books to homebound residents.
Elise will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Santa Cruz Memorial, Santa Cruz, CA.


View the online memorial for Elise Genae Johnson  Harrison