Margaret Alicia Lewis Harris

Margaret Alicia Lewis Harris, known as Marge to family and friends, slipped away peacefully to join her loved ones on the other side on Aug 9, 2022 just shy of her 90th birthday.

She started her life’s journey on August 13, 1932, the 11th of 12 children of the family of Joseph P. and Theodosia (Mecham) Lewis.  They lived in the small border town of Douglas, Arizona, in a house which had the reputation of being one of the hideouts of the notorious Mexican Pancho Villa. She said she still remembers how to access the secret hiding places in the walls.

At 18, she left home to earn a degree at Brigham Young University.  While there, she met and fell in love with Ray Harris, a dairy farmer from Idaho.  They officially began their journey together in the Mesa Arizona Temple on December 16, 1952, and what a journey it has been.

Her college degree was put on hold as Ray and Marge started a family.  The family journey included moves to various states across the country and the addition of eight children along the way.  Marge was very good at staying in touch with friends from various parts of the country.  While traveling, it was not unusual to bump into someone they knew from one of their previous residences.

Marge was life-long lover of books and learning and passed on this desire to her children.  You could count on finding several books by her bedside, chair, in the car and she always had something to read in her bag.  She was proud that all her children completed a college degree.

She also has a treasured collection of dolls she had acquired over the years each with a tender memory attached.  One example is a cherished ventriloquist puppet owned by her brother, John, who passed away when he was 16 years old.  She wanted to make sure that her collection of dolls was shared and distributed to her posterity and friends so that the enjoyment could live on.

While raising her family, she completed her college degree and went on to receive a Master’s degree in English.  She loved teaching others and had a special empathy for non-traditional students who were returning to school to complete degrees after raising families or due to changes in careers.  She began by teaching in High School and GED classes in Michigan.  While living in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, she taught English for several years at Itasca Community College (ICC).  She was very active in education initiatives and professional organizations.  She supported Critical Thinking initiatives and “Writing Across the Curriculum.”  She also served in the American Association of University Women.

Marge loved to travel and enjoyed learning about other cultures, seeing the local sights, and trying their cuisines.  While teaching at ICC, she was chosen as one of the teacher guides to take college students on travels around the world.  On several trips, she was able to take a granddaughter along and so enjoyed sharing this special time with them.  She enjoyed cruising and sharing travels with family and dear friends all over the world.

Mom was an active member of The Christ of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   She magnified numerous church callings wherever she lived, accepting them even when she felt wholly inadequate.  She faithfully served two missions with Dad.  The first as Church Educational missionaries in Ithaca New York from October 2000 to May 2002.  Their assignment was to work with the college students at the 25 colleges within a 50-mile radius.  Margaret spent many hours baking and cooking delicious meals in addition to planning lessons, talks and gatherings.  They were instrumental in coming up with new programs and activities to unify and care for each and every student with which they came in contact.  The second was in the Ireland Dublin mission from February 2005 to August 2006.  They cherished their time there strengthening the local leadership and creating dear friendships.  Her firm testimony of the gospel and example of steadfast service will continue to be a guide and support to her family.

Mom loved nothing better than spending quality time with her family and friends.  She relished her role as Grandma and Great-Grandma to 36 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren.  Nothing made her happier than receiving a visit or a card from one of them.

Her earthly journey with her wonderful companion ended April 30, 2009 when Dad passed away from leukemia.  She received another loss earlier this year in the passing of her youngest daughter, Laura Hales, from pancreatic cancer.  She outlived all her siblings.

Her seven surviving children: Shauna Mitchell (Vic), Kendal (Margret), Meg Butler (Steve), David, Jonathan (Greta), Robert (Lisa), and Brian (MaryJane); and sister-in-laws:  Eileen Lewis, Ardis Harris, and Ann Harris.

A viewing will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Russon Mortuary, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington, Utah.

We will honor and celebrate her life on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at the Deseret Mill Stake Center, 270 W Burton Lane, Kaysville, Utah.  Visitation for friends and family will be from 9:00 am to 10:30 am prior to the 11:00 am funeral service.  Interment will be at 3:30 pm at the Orem City Cemetery.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live at 11:00 am on Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook Page using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/russonmortuary.

Services will also be streamed under this obituary beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday.

There will be more photos in the gallery.

She was a faithful Mother of Zion and is continuing her journey with Dad by becoming an angel with him in heaven.  We love her and we miss her, and we will always keep the memories of her in our hearts, and look forward to the day we will meet her again.