Marilyn (Lewis) Harrison , VRHS Class of 1948

RUTLAND, Vt. Marilyn Lewis Harrison died peacefully, with family and prayers at her bedside, on Thursday, July 19, 2018. She was a resident of Genesis Mountain View Center in Rutland, Vermont. She was 87 years old.

Marilyn was born on September 17, 1930, to her parents, Judge Laverne Lewis and Edna Fagan Lewis. She grew up and attended schools in Rensselaer. She was a 1948 graduate of Rensselaer High School, where she was a cheerleader and member of the band. She graduated in 1952 from the State University at Albany with a degree in business education. She was also a member of Gamma Kappa Phi.

She was married to Richard Clark Harrison in 1953 and moved to Pensacola, Fla., where Richard served as a Naval pilot. Their son James Richard was born in 1955. They left Navy life for Richard's civilian career as an engineer with Pratt Whitney. The family lived in Durham, Conn., where their daughter Nancy Jean was born in 1958. Marilyn was active in local politics in Connecticut. The family relocated to Bel Air, Md. in 1966. She and Richard were later divorced.

Marilyn had a long and distinguished career as an alcohol and drug counselor. She worked at Chit Chat Farms, later known as the Caron Foundation, in Pennsylvania. She then was a counselor at Father Martin's Ashley in Maryland for many years, and at New Beginnings at Hidden Brook, also in Maryland. She had her own home in Edgewood, Md. After retirement, Marilyn fostered women with mental health challenges for Project Home.

Survivors include her daughter Nancy, of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; her niece Jacquelyn Bode Marston of Castleton, Vt.; nephews, Francis Lewis Bode of Voorheesville and Graham Bode of Trenton, Maine; brother-in-law Rodger of Palm Desert, Calif.; daughter-in-law Brenda Mink Harrison of Delta, Pa.; her former husband Richard of Bel Air, Md.; best friend Linda Magasmen of Middle River, Md.; great-nieces Danielle Rothrock and Hannah Bode; great-nephews, David Bode and Jeffrey Bode; great-great-niece Maya; and great-great-nephews Lucas and Oliver. She is also survived by many friends from her church community in the Baltimore area. She leaves one beloved Yorkie, Elizabeth. Marilyn was predeceased by her son James, who died July 15, 2018, just four days before her passing; by her parents and stepmother Christine; and by her beloved grandparents. A dear and beloved family member, Marilyn leaves a legacy of kindness, generosity, and love. She loved her family, friends, church, beloved dogs, and her favorite place on earth, beautiful Arnold Lake near Cooperstown, N.Y. She spent time there nearly every summer of her adult life and was last able to visit in the fall of last year, enjoying the peacefulness of a sunny fall day by the lake. Her family will miss her forever.

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