Hi, welcome to Mary’s celebration of life service. Thank you so much for being here and supporting our family during this time. Your presence and your kind words have been a blessing to us. It is our hope and prayer that you are encouraged and blessed by this time together today as we remember and celebrate my Momma together.
Mary Elizabeth Northcott Harris finished her earthly race and joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 12, 2013.
Mary was known and loved by many during her full life. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and Nana, a selfless friend, a wise teacher, and a servant leader.
Mary was born on April 29, 1952 in Fort Worth, Texas, to Arnold and Thelma Northcott. Mary Elizabeth, as her friends knew her, graduated as part of the first class from Southwest High School in 1970 and went on to Texas Tech. She returned home to Fort Worth a year later to be with her high school sweetheart, Rick, and they married March 10, 1972. Mary completed her undergrad at Texas Wesleyan.
Mary went to work for Crowley ISD as a business and typing teacher at Crowley High School in 1975. She then received her masters from Tarleton State University and became an assistant principal at CHS. In 1986, Mary opened Meadowcreek Elementary as the principal. She served the parents, students, teachers and staff well there for 15 years. She then opened Dallas Park Elementary in 2002 and continued to serve Crowley ISD passionately there before moving to the Administration Building in 2005. In 2006, Mary retired so she could enjoy being Nana, but her heart for the children of Crowley ISD continued, and she was elected to the school board in 2009 where she boldly stood up for what was best for boys and girls. In 2010, Mary Harris Intermediate School opened, honoring Mary’s many years of service to Crowley ISD. The immeasurable impact Mary made on the lives of children is remarkable. She truly left a legacy of love and dedication toward each child she encountered.
Mary and Rick were blessed with their first daughter, Stephanie Elizabeth, on March 1, 1980. She was a joy! While Mary was expecting their next child, Stephanie, at the age of 2, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Angela Marie was born February 23, 1983. Stephanie fought hard, but she lost her battle against cancer in May of 1984. While Mary grieved deeply, she also used her experience with the loss of Stephanie to serve other parents who had to walk through similar circumstances. Mary was a devoted mother, never missing a game, recital, performance or any other special event of Angela’s. She poured her life into her family.
Mary loved Jesus and His Word. She began each day being filled with His Truth, and she served others out of the overflow of the love and sacrifice of her Lord. She encouraged those around her to be kind to everyone and to look for ways to serve. This attitude is the legacy she leaves behind. All who were impacted by Mary’s life are forever changed by her zeal for life, her contagious smile, and her unconditional love.
Although Frontotemporal Dementia has clouded our past few years with Mary, our memories of her vibrant life are sealed, and our lives are better for having known her.
Mary was preceded in death by her daughter Stephanie, her parents Arnold and Thelma, and her granddaughter Charlotte. She is survived by her husband Rick Harris, her daughter and son in law Angela and Justin Bassett, her granddaughters Elizabeth, Elaine and Olivia Bassett, her sister and brother in law Arlene and GB Bailey, her brother and sister in law Trey and Cheryl Norhtcott and countless friends and family members as you can see.
We rejoice that Mary is experiencing her great gain in the presence of he Lord. For Mary, to live was Christ, and to die is truly GAIN!
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