Kathleen Della Harris

Kathleen Della Harris (Kathy) passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 28, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 12, 1943, in Washington, DC at George Washington University Hospital to Olga Ann Waskviac Chesney and James Larkin Chesney.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband, Joseph G. Harris Jr. She is also survived by her children from a previous marriage: Sheila Cowling (Robert), Deborah Snow (Alex), Raymond McAbee, Jr., and Andrea McAbee Churchwell (John), her Grandchildren: Robert Cowling Jr., Brian Cowling, Alexis Snow, Evan Cowling, Christopher McAbee, Brandon Snow, Breanna Snow, Kaitlyn Cowling, and Jonathan Churchwell, her Great-Grandchildren: Everleigh Fox and Emberlyn Fox, her sister Mary Sevigny (Russell) and five nieces. She is pre-deceased by her parents, her sister Patricia Abel, and most recently her brother James Chesney.

Kathy was active in school and church activities. She went to work as a ceramic teacher, then trained and became a cosmetologist, and then a secretary at the Air Force Sergeants Association. She later served in the Federal Government for over 23 years, retiring from the Office of Naval Intelligence.

Kathy met Joe in August 1983 and married on December 3, 1989. Together they shared a deep love, companionship, and love of the family that lasted until her final days. Together they worked evenings with the Crescent Cities Jaycees Foundation raising funds for community projects for which she was a major influence. They included a community center, a children’s daycare center, an adult medical day care center, nursing home and rehabilitation center, and funding for many community groups and programs.

Kathy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Kathy loved spending time with her family and was excited when she became a grandmother and great-grandmother. Kathy enjoyed breeding and spending time with her Yorkies. She enjoyed vacationing with her children and grandchildren as well as hosting many events from holidays to game nights. Her stories were legendary and always good for a laugh.

While Kathy’s life had challenges, she faced them with resilience, determination, and grace. She was a fighter. Her family and friends admired her strength, kindness, and compassion, and she was a source of inspiration to them. Her many friends loved her and her easy style and how she put them at ease. 

We will celebrate Kathy’s life at Lee Funeral Home Calvert, 8200 Jennifer Lane, Owings, MD 20736. Visiting hours will be from 6 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, April 10th, and 10 am to 11:45 am on Thursday, April 11th. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at Noon on April 11th. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery 8000 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD 20735 at 1:30 pm after the funeral service. 

 In Lieu of Flowers:

 Alpha 1 Foundation https://alpha1.org/donate/

Yorkie Rescue of America https://yorkierescueofamerica.org/

 Foundation Fighting Blindness www.fightingblindness.org