Obituary of Maria Teresa Magisano Harris

Tere Harris was born in Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Jonio, an Italian hillside village in the city of Calabria, where every home has a view of the Ionian Sea. She came to the United States of America when she was seven, quickly learned English and excelled as a student. Graduating from Kent State University in Ohio, Tere received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1950. She taught third grade at Washington Elementary School in San Jose, California. The same year Tere graduated, she was married to Jack Harris. She and Jack started their family in Los Gatos, California, and raised their daughter Diane and fraternal twins, Julie and Sandra, in Los Altos Hills. As a full-time mother, Tere not only exposed her daughters to many activities such as Girl Scouts, music (piano, flute, and violin), tennis, horse back riding, and snow and water skiing, but also became actively involved. She assumed the role of Girl Scout leader and took her first tennis lesson at the age of fifty, continuing to play for fifteen years. A volunteer of Parents' Club of Stanford University, Tere was honored with a lifetime Alumni Award for over twenty years of service. She was recognized as Scholarship Honoree: "It is heartening to anyone who needs to recruit help when one person can be so universally depended on to participate willingly in a variety of tasks. Over a period of many years at campus conferences, parents weekends, chrysanthemum parties, International House luncheons, Christmas Faire, Balloon and Flower Service, often jointly with her husband Jack, Tere Harris has been invaluable with her willingness to help wherever needed. A familiar response from Tere to any expression of appreciation for a job well done is 'It's my pleasure'." In addition, Tere enjoyed hobbies such as oil painting and spending time at the beach. She traveled with her husband Jack and daughter Julie to many exotic countries such as China, Greece, New Zealand, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel. The way she chose to live life was reflected in her motto: "Live, Love, Laugh." Today, we celebrate her journey home to Paradise. Her spirit remains alive among her beloved family and friends: Jack, her devoted husband of sixty-three years; three adoring daughters, Diane, Julie (deceased), and Sandra; three brothers, Nicholas Magisano (deceased), James Magisano M.D, and Gerald Magisano. In lieu of flowers, a short note sharing what motherhood means to you or a loving memory of Tere is welcome.




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