Kathryn Belle Harris

Kathryn Harris, age 76, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones, after a life marked by fierce independence, compassion, and unwavering love.

Born on September 27, 1948, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Aurora, Illinois, Kathryn was the daughter of Wilbur H. Harris of Iola, Kansas, and Elizabeth (Kampmeyer) Harris of Downers Grove, Illinois. She attended Holy Angels Elementary School and graduated from Rosary High School in Aurora in 1966. She later pursued higher education at the University of St. Francis in Joliet and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

From a young child through her twenties, Kathryn was an avid horseback rider, sharing a special bond with her horse, September Brown. Those early years of riding shaped her adventurous spirit and love of freedom that stayed with her throughout her life.

While at Sangamon State, Kathryn was a founding member of the Sojourn Women's Center, which opened on November 1, 1975. Originally a small four-bed shelter with a modest budget, Sojourn grew into a vital refuge for survivors of domestic violence. Kathryn's early involvement in this grassroots initiative helped lay the foundation for what eventually became Sojourn Shelter and Services-a lasting testament to her commitment to advocacy and community.

While living in Springfield, Kathryn met Joseph Miller. Early in their relationship, they were married and moved to San Diego, California, seeking a fresh start on the West Coast. After the birth of their first child, Terra, they returned home to Illinois to be closer to family. Their relationship had its ups and downs-sometimes turbulent, sometimes peaceful-but always grounded in mutual respect and a shared commitment to family. Their marriage ended in divorce, but what remained was something arguably more meaningful: a lifelong friendship. Together they raised two children, Terra and Paul, and remained a strong support system for one another through life's many twists and turns. When Joseph passed away in 2018, Kathryn felt the loss of not just a co-parent, but one of the rare few who truly understood her uniqueness.

Kathryn was also a pioneer in the skilled trades. As the first woman to join Electrical Union I.B.E.W Local 461, she broke gender barriers in a male-dominated industry. She excelled in a wide variety of roles-from residential and commercial projects to industrial sites-and served her union as both Publishing Secretary and Examining Board Member. Her work ethic and quiet strength paved the way for other women in the trades.

Between 1988 and 1995, Kathryn found love again with George, who was also an electrician. Their relationship was adventurous and deeply meaningful, built on mutual respect and a strong emotional bond. Though their romantic chapter eventually ended, their connection remained a lifelong friendship. George was a cherished companion in Kathryn's life, sharing many memorable and transformative years together. He, along with his children, became a meaningful and lasting part of Kathryn's family. His presence was felt not only by Kathryn but by her children as well, who came to care deeply for him and appreciated the warmth and connection he brought into their lives.

In 2019, for her 70th birthday, Kathryn fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking a cruise along the St. Lawrence River. She enjoyed visiting Canada's charming cities and tracing the coast to quintessential seaside towns, including stops at Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. This adventure reflected her love of travel, history, and experiencing new places with a curious and open heart.

In 2021, Kathryn moved to Marco Island, Florida, to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. She lived in a condo overlooking the water, where she found peace in bird watching and seeing boats glide by. Kathryn developed a deep appreciation for the manatees and took great joy in learning all about the tides and rhythms of the coastal environment.

Kathryn had a beautifully original spirit-an eccentric, free-spirited nature that was part gypsy soul, part rebel heart. She could never be boxed in. She had a flair for the unconventional and a knack for making life interesting wherever she went. Kathryn always kept a mystery about her-there was a captivating quality that kept people guessing and wanting to know more. She revealed herself on her own terms, never fully unveiling all her layers, which only made her presence more magnetic and unforgettable. True to her quirky nature, she could never quite make a decision-often delighting those around her with her playful indecisiveness.

She had a tender love for gardening and drawing, simple passions that allowed her to express her creativity and connect with the natural world. There was something grounding for her in putting her fingers in the rich Midwest soil-a quiet, peaceful ritual that brought her comfort and purpose. Whether planting flowers or vegetables, she found beauty in the process and solace in the dirt beneath her nails.

Her sharp wit and unique sense of humor were legendary. Kathryn had a way of making you laugh and think at the same time-offering insight wrapped in unexpected humor, delivered with impeccable timing. She never sugar-coated things, and her honesty could be blunt and unsettling-but always genuine.

To her grandchildren, she was simply "Grammy"-a role she embraced with all her heart. She was a constant, steady figure in their lives: cooking oatmeal just the way they liked it, carefully cutting up pancakes, creating and original recipes, and exploring and taste-testing new foods. Grammy had a true love of food, and she shared it with those she loved in the most nurturing, memorable ways, her Grandchildren knew her not just as a grandmother, but as a beloved presence in their lives.

Kathryn also lived for many years with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic illness she met with strength and grace. Though the pain was constant, she rarely let it show. Her resilience, both physical and emotional, were her quiet superpowers. Now, that struggle is over. Kathryn is finally at peace-free from pain, whole again, and surrounded by light.

She is survived by her children, Terra Onken (Dennis) and Joseph Paul Harris-Miller; six grandchildren, Aletheia, Adyson, Cole, Aiyana, Diana, and Dennis; one great-grandchild, Dustin; her sister Mary Helen Warren and brother-in-law Bill Warren; and a wide circle of friends and loved ones who were touched by her humor, courage, and fiercely original spirit.

Kathryn was impossible to define and unforgettable to know. She lived life entirely on her own terms-with grit, independence, humor, and an open heart. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.