Obituary of Marie C. Harris

AUBURN | Marie Bean Harris died on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 at Auburn Community Hospital. Marie was born on Feb. 25, 1936 to Leon and Lillian (Gehm) Stark on her grandfather's farm in Springville, Pa. She lived most of her life in CNY, wintered in Sun Lakes, Ariz. for a few years, and most recently resided at her home on 517 Manor House Drive, Auburn. She graduated from Moravia Central High School in 1954 and then attended Houghton College for two years, pursuing a career in medical technology. One year was then spent at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, N.Y., doing clinical work for the completion of the requirements of becoming a registered medical technologist. Her training continued at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and she then obtained certification nationally in Cytotechnology. In 1963, she moved to the Auburn area and worked 25 years at the Cayuga County Laboratory. She obtained an associate's degree at ACC while in Auburn. After her bout with cancer, she also worked as a teacher's aide for the BOCES Special Education Program in various school districts for three years. She married Dr. Arthur E. Harris in 1992. They then spent their time between Auburn and their home in Arizona. He predeceased her in 2002. During her professional years, she was active in the regional and state Medical Technology and Cytotechnology Associations. She served on the American Cancer Society Board in Cayuga County and also was active in the I Can Cope Cancer Support Group, for several years. She was a member, former Sunday schoolteacher, Pioneer Girl Chairman, and leader at the Second Baptist Church in Auburn. Also, she was involved in several different youth ministries at the church and was in the "buddy" program at the Cayuga Home for Children. She also attended the Sun Lakes First Baptist Church when wintering in Arizona. Most recently, she became a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Auburn. She is survived by her brothers, Roland (Judy) Bean, and their children, Hoyt, Carolyne (Michael Wereszynski) and Amy, and Melvin (Betty) Bean, and their children, Julie, Phillip, and David. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Joanne (Robert) Weeks, and her son, William, and Irene (Roy) Bean, and her children, Cindy (Ron Krempecke), Barbara (Douglas Lamphier), Nancy (William Proper), Beth (John Durbin), and Kenneth (Peg). Other survivors include her husband's family, Dr. Margaret (David) Hayden, and family, Shirley (Dr. John) Wilt, and family, and a very faithful friend, Patricia M. Kelley. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her brother, Bentley; two step-brothers, Roy and Albert Bean; a step-sister, Gladys Sheridan, and a niece, Jennifer. Calling hours will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 at Langham Funeral Home, 75 E. Genesee St., Auburn. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 in Auburn Alliance Church, with burial in Fort Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Auburn Alliance Church, Hospice of the Finger Lakes, or Matthew House, 43 Metcalf Drive, Auburn, NY 13021.