Published in The New York Times: October 24, 2010
Jane Merryweather Harris, a Salisbury, CT resident for 63 years, died peacefully at Sharon Hospital surrounded by her family on October 18, 2010. Mrs. Harris, 88, was the wife of the late David Farnum Harris for 61 years until his death in 2004. Mrs. Harris was born in Denver, Colorado on February 19, 1922. She was the daughter of Weir Orford Merryweather and Margaret Owen Dorsey. She was raised in Denver and attended Bennett College in Millbrook, NY.
Mrs. Harris and her husband spent many of their summers at a second home on Fishers Island, NY. Mrs. Harris enjoyed using her many creative talents. As an active member of The Millbrook Garden Club, she especially enjoyed preparing flowers for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury and The Fishers Island Club. Mrs. Harris was the first woman elected to serve on the Board of Governors of The Fishers Island Club and for many years was an active member of The Society of The Colonial Dames of America. As a local entrepreneur, Mrs. Harris was a co-owner of the White Hart Inn in Salisbury. Mrs. Harris was most devoted to supporting her husband’s philanthropic efforts and spending time with her family, considering raising her three children her most satisfying achievement.
Survivors include her children, David Farnum Harris, Jr., of Salisbury, Gwendoline A. Harris Milliken and her husband, Seth, of Salisbury, and John Montgomery Harris and his wife, Kathryn, of Manchester-by-the Sea, MA, and their three children, Dorsey Harris Miller and her husband, Douglas, Kathryn Houghton Harris, and John Montgomery Harris, Jr. She is also survived by her sister, Anne Merryweather Close, and her husband, Edward, of Littleton, CO. A memorial service will be held at 11am, Friday, October 29th, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Main St., Salisbury, CT. Contributions may be made to the Salisbury School Annual Fund in memory of Jane M. Harris, 251 Canaan Road, Salisbury, CT 06068 or the Heritage Fund of The Millbrook Garden Club in memory of Jane M. Harris, 18 Grandview Lane, Sharon, CT 06069.
