Obituary of Alice E. Harris

Alice Elaine Fowler was born on March 1, 1929, to Leland Dean Fowler and Elsie (Edlund) Fowler of Huntington Park, CA. She spent her childhood in L.A. County, then moved to San Leandro where she graduated from high school in 1948. After a brief stint working at a San Jose bank, Alice married Harold Gary (Hal) Harris on July 19, 1953. From then on, Alice focused on her roles as wife, homemaker, and mother to her two children, Gary Dean and Elaine Dorothea. The family moved often, with residences in San Francisco, Alameda, Pleasant Hill, Napa, Concord and San Jose. In 1980 Alice and Hal came to De Anza Mobile Home Estates in Santa Cruz, where Alice continued to live near her beloved ocean after Hal's passing in 2001. Alice, a childhood asthmatic who always dealt with chronic pain and multiple health concerns, repeatedly amazed her doctors, family and friends with her resilience as the years went by. She never lost her wonder for natural beauty, her delight in animals, and her zest for creativity—whether in painting, needlepoint, crochet or crafts. She was also an honorary member of Twin Lakes church for the past ten years, watching sermon broadcasts faithfully every Sunday afternoon while taking copious notes (which she never threw away!). Alice was granted a remarkably sharp mind and memory up until her lungs finally gave out on April 1, 2015, exactly one month after her 86th birthday. She passed away in her home under the guidance of Hospice and her dedicated caregivers from Meadowood Home Care of Santa Cruz. She is preceded in death by her older sister, Marilyn Origlia. Alice is survived by her sister, Diane Hill of Portland, Oregon; her son Gary Harris and his wife Leilani, of Cascade, Idaho; and her daughter, Elaine Irao and her husband Ben of Soquel. A celebration of her life will be held at the De Anza clubhouse on May 23 at 11:30. Final interment is at Oakwood Memorial Park, Santa Cruz. A diehard patriot and herself an amputee, Alice gave often to the Disabled American Veterans and enjoyed flying her flag every 4th of July; in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made in her honor to the DAV or to the Wounded Warrior Project.