Enid Harris

Enid Harris
June 1, 1929 - June 28, 2022
Tacoma, Washington - Enid Lou Harris lived an amazing 93 years.
Enid was born in Denver on June 1, 1929. She grew up with four siblings on a wheat farm / cattle ranch thirty miles east of Brush, Colorado, in a home without electricity, central heat, or indoor plumbing. The family realized that Enid and her siblings would benefit from access to better education, so the family moved where their children could attend junior high and high school. Enid's education and learning never ended.
Recognized for her keen mind and ability to learn, Enid studied at the University of Northern Colorado, graduating with a major in mathematics and a minor in physical education. Following graduation and a short stint of teaching, she was accepted by the University of Oregon for a Master's program in mathematics, so she packed up and headed west solo.
While in Oregon, Enid met the love of her life, Jim Harris, on a blind date. Jim and Enid were engaged in thirteen days and married six months later. Their marriage lasted sixty-seven years! Enid and Jim settled in Tacoma in 1956. She taught math at Jason Lee Junior High, then took time to raise their children. She also taught at the Aquinas Academy after her daughters started school.
Enid was a "keystone" in Jim's architectural career, including his active involvement in the American Institute of Architects (AIA). She worked with Jim at his firm from the day it opened, and managed his office the last few years before his retirement. Together they endowed an AIA scholarship fund for promising young architects.
Dedicated to philanthropy, she believed in giving back to her community as well as internationally. She was a Rotarian and a District First Lady when Jim was District Governor in '97/'98. They worked together on countless civic projects throughout the years and traveled around the world. Several of their trips were for Rotary projects - to deliver Polio vaccinations in Ethiopia, medical equipment delivery to Mexico, to advance children's education in Vietnam, and to start a new Rotary Club in Russia.
She was a member of the Art Museum, Vladivostok Sister City committee, served on the Sister City Youth Festival, was a long-time member and first female Senior Warden at Christ Church Parish, and was a member of St. Luke's Memorial Church.
Enid's passion for health and fitness was evident as a long-time member of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. She enjoyed the comradery and sportsmanship of her weekly tennis group.
While contributing to and learning about the world, Enid and Jim traveled across six continents and sixty-four countries. Enid left a wake of friendships and significant contributions around the globe. Perhaps Enid's greatest legacy is with her family. She was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She taught her family about the importance of loving, learning, fun, new experiences, and being family.
Enid is survived by: Husband: James Harris; Daughters: Jini Selig and Kristen Smith (Andrew Smith); Grandchildren: Nicole Selig (Adrian Bravo) and Erika Selig; Great Grandchildren: Mackenzie Selig, Logan Bravo and Ethan Bravo
If so inclined, kindly consider a donation to:
Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 for the "Enid Harris Literacy Fund" (call 253-473-7723); or Carol Milgard Breast Center at https://www.carolmilgardbreastcenter.org/donate/
A celebration of Enid's life will be held on Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 at 3:00PM at St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church, 3615 N Gove St., Tacoma, WA 98407