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Jan Harris
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In July and August, the attention of the RVW Board of Directors was intently focused on Jan Harris. We all had the opportunity to work with her and, as a consequence, we are very aware of her commitment and dedication to RVW and recognize the many gifts she bestowed to us. Jan Harris died on Aug. 13, 2009 after a heart attack and massive stroke. We believe she would like to be remembered as this poem suggests:
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave behind when day is done.
Happy trails, dear friend.
RVW Board of Directors
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Jan Harris left this earth and her broken body behind after suffering a heart attack and massive stroke.
On Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, she drew her final earthly breath and opened her eyes to new surroundings. At this moment, she is rejoicing in a new beginning and reveling in her new place of splendor.
For Larry Ann Holley, her life partner of 41 years, and for those others of us left behind, there is an empty spot where Jan’s physical presence once thrived. Now memories will be left with the task of helping to heal the sorrow in our hearts. Many of us in RVW have shared the joys of Jan’s life with her. We will spend many future moments remembering the times we laughed and shared with a special person, a special person that we loved and will never forget.
—Lanny McBrown
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Jan Harris served on the RVing Women Board of Directors from 2004 to 2008 and served as president of the board for three of those years. She ushered RVW through a difficult period of time and gave expert care and uncounted hours to ensuring the healthy future of our organization.
Tributes to Jan Harris will be published in the November/December issue of our magazine and online at www.rvingwomen.org. You may send your memories to rvweditor@rvingwomen.org and to RVW, P.O. Box 1940, Apache Junction AZ 85117-1940. Donations made to RVW in memory of Jan Harris can be sent to RVW Jan Harris Memorial, P.O. Box 1940, Apache Junction AZ 85117.
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A Tribute to Jan Harris
Jan Harris was someone with a sparkle in her eye and the determination to care for and help individuals of all ages to enjoy life and help others become self-confident and self-reliant in all endeavors. Her career was as a nurse first, educator, counselor, administrator, state board of nursing deputy director, and teacher at the high school, adult and university levels; but, most important, she was a teacher and role model mother for her three daughters and a long-time friend and companion.
Upon retirement from the education field after 37 years, she engaged in part-time employment for Attic Babies helping organize, support, develop and implement procedures for the plant operation, which entailed the full-time employment expanding from 43 employees to 105 employees as she offered her services as plant manager to the wonderful rag designed dolls by the artist/owner, Marty Machino.
A second retirement in 1995, coinciding with my own retirement, found her venturing into a new world of RV travel. Our first major trip was to the Balloon Fest in Albuquerque, New Mexico complete with a hot air balloon ride. What an experience to be up there floating in the clouds! We laughed that this might be the only time until one of us met our maker. She said it was great to feel that free. What a ride! This was a first experience to meet with other women RVers from across the country—a wonderful caring group of women travelers. The opportunity to meet another vocational educator retiree, Ardie Jarrett, and her traveling companion, Sally Johnson, initiated a friendship that has since sustained itself through many traveling trials and tribulations.
The very next year, 1996, Becky Prichard from Fayetteville, Arkansas and Gwen Russell from Russellville, Arkansas secured names and addresses of all women in a six-state area surrounding Oklahoma that had purchased recreation vehicles, including fifth wheels, travel trailers, Class C and A motorhomes, and vans. Becky and Gwen’s husbands did not like traveling and the gals did. The organizational meeting that was held initiated the Mid-America Chapter of RVW. Of course, a first outing volunteer was Jan, who later served as chapter president in 2004.
That same year, Jan became president of the national RVW organization. She served a total of four years on the RVW Board of Directors. Her campaign statement was, “This is a wonderful organization that has given so much to me and I want to give back.” Jan loved RVW and gave many, many hours to the organization as president for three years and vice-president for one year.
From 1995 to 2009, we logged over 200,000 RV travel miles with a visit to every state, including all provinces in Canada and a major trip to Alaska. What great memories we shared meeting wonderful women and participating in a great organization! One highlight was working with Judy Brown and Lanny McBrown, Mid-America RVW friend and convention coordinator. It was such an honor to have the 2006 home chapter of Mid-America sponsoring the National RVW Convention in Hutchinson, Kansas. All Mid-America Chapter members worked together to offer friendly assistance to all convention attendees.
Jan loved RVW and continued to be involved at all levels. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Her laughter and great smile will long be remembered. One of her favorite quotes was from Mark Twain “Sail away from the safe harbor, catch the wind in your sails…dream…explore…discover.”
— written by long-time friend and traveling companion Larry Ann Holley
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I first met Jan Harris in 2003 at an RVW Mid-America Chapter get-together in Carthage, Missouri. We gathered at the Coachman’s campground to celebrate Thanksgiving. I was in my second year of RVW membership, and I discovered that weekend that I had a lot to be thankful for and to celebrate. I was already grateful for RVW and, in meeting and getting to know Jan that weekend, I knew that RVW was about to enter a new and better phase. She was destined for great leadership. Under her skillful and capable direction, RVW was born anew. I thank God for her life and the opportunity to have shared a small piece of it.
—Wendy Humphreys
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Jane and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend Jan Harris. We first got to know Jan and Larry Ann at the Kentucky Derby rallies. Jan and Larry Ann carpooled with us to Louisville one year. We got to know Jan's delightful sense of humor and hear her marvelous tales and jokes. The ride was made all the shorter because of our companions!
RVW was, indeed, a passion of Jan's. She guided the organization and inspired it thru her vision of what we could be. She truly kept things going. We will miss Jan, although we have not seen her for a few years. Our heartfelt condolences to Larry Ann.
—Jane Devens and Pam Nordgren, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
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“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming…Wow! What a ride!”
Jan read this line to us in the past, and it stuck with me. We can’t really say she had a “well-preserved body,” but she as a beautiful woman. You couldn’t help being lifted when around her because, despite her failing body, she never complained. She responded logically and compassionately to emotional issues and responded intellectually to multitudes of difficult issues. She delighted in working and playing. She was happy to win at games and happy to have been outfoxed at games.
Jan was happy to work for RVing Women. Yes, she was thoroughly used and totally wore out her earthly body and went skidding in sideways. Her gusto when reading, “Wow! What a ride!” took on its own life in how she lived. She would want nothing less of us. We know her spirit will live on. We can all proudly say, “Wow, what a woman we call friend! Wow! What a ride!”
—Susan Stephens
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Jan Harris was devoted to RVW and worked tirelessly to get the organization through the IRS audit and to attain status as a nonprofit 501(c)(7) social organization after we lost the 501(c)(3) designation. Jan was definitely the right woman at the right time to get this accomplished. I also appreciated the wise counseling she gave me as a board member elect. She will be very missed.
—Judith Robinson
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