Vicki Harris

1946 - 2012

Vicki Lynn Harris

July 12, 1946 - August 10, 2012

SILVERTON - Vicki Lynn Harris left this world as she slept, holding hands with her beloved husband Reed, on August 10, 2012. For the last year, she bravely kept cancer at bay while she spent time with and said goodbye to her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Vicki will be held at Unger Funeral Chapel in Silverton on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.

Born Vicki Lynn Hall, she was the oldest daughter of Ronald Hall and Olive Nichols Hall, on July 12, 1946 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She remembered her childhood in Canada fondly, and especially loved camping at White Rock Beach. When she was in second grade, Vicki and her family moved to Boise, Idaho, and then to Medford, Oregon. She met her lifelong love, Lester Reed Harris, at her 12th birthday party, when he arrived uninvited. Despite the early breach of protocol, they began dating in high school and married on March 18, 1966.

Vicki and Reed attended Southern Oregon College (now Southern Oregon University). She graduated in 1969 with a degree in elementary education. The couple moved to Klamath Falls Oregon, where Vicki taught for Klamath Falls City schools. Their two daughters, Megan and Brinda, were born in 1971 and 1972. Vicki loved being able to spend their preschool years at home, and helped found Peace Memorial Preschool. When the girls went to school Vicki worked with children in Klamath Falls for 20 years, with City Schools, Head Start, Early Childhood Resource and Referral and Hillside Early Learning Center, her home-based preschool. Hillside was her passion, and the "best job she ever had." 25 years later, she still kept in contact with many of the students who learned with her. Vicki and Reed were wonderful parents and at least one of them attended every school event their daughters were involved in. Vicki also became involved with P.E.O., a philanthropic education organization, in Klamath Falls. Many of her chapter AU sisters were lifelong friends.

In 1993 after the girls went to college, Reed and Vicki left Klamath Falls and moved to the home they built together in Silverton, Oregon. The Silverton house was a gathering place for family and friends, and both daughters had their wedding parties there. Vicki was never happier than when there was company visiting. The couple enjoyed searching for antiques to decorate their home and playing with their grandchildren, Cameron, Jessie, Stephen, Thomas, Brandy and Kaia. "Grammy" Vicki made every holiday special and the traditions she passed on to her grandchildren will continue.

Vicki received her Master's Degree in early childhood special education in 1996 from the University of Oregon. She worked for Marion Polk ESD until she retired from teaching in 2003. Both Vicki and Reed were so glad they retired early. They were able to travel, and to spend time at their beach getaway in Ocean Shores, Washington. In 2010, they took the trip of a lifetime, staying at a chateau in Lodeve, France, with friends. Vicki devoted many of her hours to P.E.O. after she retired, helping to secure scholarships for Silverton women who would otherwise be unable to attend college or graduate school. Her sisters from chapter CX have become great friends during her time in Silverton, and their caring through her illness meant so much to her and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the chapter CX scholarship fund, c/o P.E.O. Chapter CX, 827 Sun Valley Ct., Silverton, OR 97381. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel of Silverton.