Lois Marie Harris

Lois Marie (Grasty) Harris, 71, of 7343 Mackey Street, Overland Park, Kan., passed away peacefully Friday, October 30, 2009, at Hospice House of Kansas City after a long and valiant struggle with metastatic choroidal melanoma. Marie is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Richard D. Harris; sons, Richard P. Harris, of West Hartford, Conn., and David K. Harris, of Overland Park; daughters-in-law, Regina M. Harris, of West Hartford, and Deborah R. Harris, of Overland Park; granddaughter, Mary Grace Harris, of West Hartford; grandsons, Adam David Harris, Owen Michael Harris, and Nathan Alexander Harris, of Overland Park; her mother, Mrs. Flora T. Grasty, of Williamsburg, Va.; and sisters, Phyllis L. (Mrs. N. Decker) Bristow, of Deltaville, Va., and Carol A. (Mrs. Robert L.) Hudgins, of Hertford, N.C. Longtime friends include Mrs. Virginia B. Anderson, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Mrs. Sue Topping, of Bartlesville, Okla. She was preceded in death by her father, H. Philip Grasty, of Roanoke, Va. Born July 7, 1938, in Roanoke, Marie graduated from Jefferson Senior High School in Roanoke and obtained her bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Richmond and her master's degree in mathematics education from the University of MissouriKansas City. She married Richard D. on December 29, 1961, and taught for more than 20 years in Pennsylvania and the Shawnee Mission, Kan., School District. She was a longtime member of Overland Park Presbyterian Church, serving on the session and as a Sunday school teacher. A lover of travel, quilting and the arts, she was especially devoted to her grandchildren. Her family is particularly grateful to Dr. Paul T. Finger, of New York City, one of the world's foremost authorities on the rare type of cancer she battled, and to Hospice House of Kansas City for their many kindnesses. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at the McGilley & Hoge Funeral Home, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kan. 66204. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, 2009, at Overland Park Presbyterian Church, 8024 Overland Park Drive. Private interment will be held at the family's convenience. No flowers please. In lieu of flowers, friends are urged to make contributions to The Eye Care Foundation, care of Dr. Paul T. Finger, MD, 115 East 61st Street, Suite 5B, New York, N.Y. 10021-8184. Arrangements by McGilley & Hoge Chapel, 913-642-3565.