HARRIS, Helen McDonald - Passed peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2005 in San Francisco at 95 years of age. She was born in San Francisco on Jan. 27, 1910 to James Roderick and Edna Wemple McDonald. Growing up in San Francisco she graduated from Miss Burke's School in 1927 and then the University of California class of 1931. At U.C. she met and married the love of her life "Bob" - Robert DeWitt Harris. Married on May 12, 1931 she honeymooned on a "slow boat to Japan" on the Asia tour by the Cal tennis team. They were married for 67 years until Bob died in October 1999. They were blessed with two loving sons: James McDonald Harris of San Francisco and Robert DeWitt Harris Jr. of Belvedere. The boys remember: her untiring work with the Red Cross and Air Defense during WW II at McClellan Field Sacramento as the wife of the Executive Officer Col. Harris; her active management of the J.R. McDonald Ranch in Vacaville until its sale in 1974; her active involvement in the pioneer S.F. grocer L.D. McLean Co., i.e. McLean Goldberg Bowen Co. on Sutter St. until sale in 1960; her encyclopedic knowledge of S. F. and California history that was passed through several generations from her great-grandmother born in Sonoma 1835; her love of travel, history, painting, bridge, books and most of all family. She loved her lifelong friends and maintained friendships at the Francesca Club, Century Club, Junior League and from college Kappa Kappa Gamma. Her five grandchildren: Sally Harris of Portola Valley, Beth Harris Booher of Redwood City, Kathryn Harris Robbins of Hanover, NH, Barbara Harris Diefenbach of La Quinta and Mary Harris Madden of American Canyon all remember history walks in SF, her painting at the ranch, and summers at Vacaville and Napa. The eleven great-grandchildren: Katharine, Alex & Sarah Booher, Heidi & Liesel Sue Robbins, Scott & Lucas Harris, Haley & Ryan Diefenbach, Kayla Helen & Ashleigh Ann Madden remember her beautiful presence and big blue eyes. The family spouses: Shirley Hutton Harris, Phyllis Bronson Harris, Val Quarmby, Tom Booher, Kris Robbins & Sue Kuechler Harris (deceased 1996) all remember her strong character and always pleasant disposition. We all remember her love and fascination with all things butterfly -- be it scarves, pins, rings, scarves, wallpaper, glasses etc. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Sequoias SF and particularly her nurse companions Fernando and Cecilia. They took good loving care of their "Princess". Memorial gifts can be made to Sequoias SF, 1400 Geary Blvd. S.F. CA. 94109. A private family service will be held. HALSTED N. GRAY - CAREW & ENGLISH

SOURCE: SF Gate, obit published Friday, April 15, 2005.
Source [link]: http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/HARRIS-Helen-McDonald-2640638.php
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m.12-May-1931
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Wife of: Robert Dewitt Harris, Sr.
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CHILDREN:
i. James McDonald Harris
ii. Robert DeWitt Harris, Jr.
GRAND-CHILDREN:
i. Sally Harris, of Portola Valley, CA.
ii. Beth Harris-Booher of Redwood City, CA.
iii. Kathryn Harris-Robbins of Hanover, NH.
iv. Barbara Harris-Diefenbach of La Quinta, CA.
v. Mary Harris-Madden of American Canyon, CA.
GREAT-GRAND-CHILDREN:
i. Katharine Booher
ii. Alex Booher
iii. Sarah Booher
iv. Heidi Robbins
v. Liesel Sue Robbins
vi. Scott Harris
vii. Lucas Harris
viii. Haley Diefenbach
ix. Ryan Diefenbach
x. Kayla Helen Madden
xi. Ashleigh Ann Madden

SOURCE: Obit of Helen Sturten McDonald-Harris.
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Burial Date 04/27/2005