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Jean Bickle Harris
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Jean Harris Obituary
November 7, 2025
State College, Pennsylvania - Jean Bickle Harris, age 92, passed on to new life November 7, 2025, at her home in State College, PA. She was a lifelong resident of central Pennsylvania, born on a farm in Ferguson Township to Earl and Catherine (Gensimore) Bickle. She graduated from State College Area High School where she met and later married William F. Harris, who preceded her in death.
Jean is survived by three children, William P. Harris and his wife Nancy of Mountain Top and twins Kimberly (Harris) Knudson and Kelly Harris, both of State College. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son in law James F. Knudson, sister Ruth (Bickle) Hockenberry and many other family members and friends.
Jean was first and foremost a fiercely devoted and nurturing mother. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children started school. She then entered the workforce, meeting the educational needs of high school and college students in libraries at State High and Penn State. She then moved professionally to the insurance industry.
Jean's maternal instincts weren't limited to caring for her children. She expressed them through her love of the family dogs as well as those she met on cherished walks around the neighborhood.
Always quick to smile and chat, Jean had a genuine interest in the people she met throughout her life.
Special thanks to the compassionate Advantage Hospice staff and Jean's end-of-life doula Elise Lenhart. No public services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Pets Come First or Centre County PAWS.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jean Harris
Sponsored by Centre Daily Times.
2 Entries
Joy Crompton Schon
Yesterday
A wonderful lady. Met her when a student at State High and probably 50 years later ran into her while we were both walking.
And the ease of conversation was the same. Often thought of her after seeing her . Thinking of her family at this time
Paul DeCusati
Yesterday
Jean was my insurance agent when I first moved to State College for Grad School. She was an intelligent and compassionate woman.
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Koch Funeral Home - State College2401 S. Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801
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