Kay Harris

HARRIS, KAY Died peacefully, after an extended battle with COPD on Wednesday, October 22, 2014 in Yale, MI at the age of 75. She leaves behind her brother, Ted Johnson (Cindy), daughters, April Elliott (Scott), and Robyn Harris (Eric), her much loved granddaughter Annabelle Calderwood. Kay was born on May 27th, 1939 in Pontiac, MI to father Odin Johnson and mother Fern Johnson (Farrand), who predeceased her. She grew up in Davisburg, Michigan on Big Lake with her family. In college, at MSU she received a BS in Medical Technology, with a specialty in Hematology. Throughout her career she worked in the medical field that she loved and also returned her passion for laboratory diagnostics to the many students she taught during her extensive career working in healthcare science. Kay Johnson married William Harris, on May 28th, 1968, and while they divorced in 1987, they succeeded in being successful co-parents and raised two wonderful and strong daughters. While Kay was an energetic professional, she balanced this with her passion for living on the lake, playing piano, and spending time her family. When diagnosed with COPD in February 2014, she remained dedicated to maintain her dignity, and the will to fight her illness. She remained a brave, iron-willed woman, even throughout her final months, fighting with Dementia. Kay is survived by her former husband, William and their daughters, April and Robyn, sister-in-laws, Marianne Corrigan, Teresa Mull and Kristine Pado (Tom); nieces, Annie Corrigan, Alex Johnson, nephews Scott, Ryan and Casey Johnson, other relatives and friends. Kay requested to be cremated - Online condolences may be posted on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. The family will be having a private memorial for Kay next summer. The family would like to thank the team at Medilodge of Yale, for their excellent work and loving care provided to Kay, the staff of McLaren Port Huron for their constant, attentive treatment and the Great Lakes Caring Hospice team. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you make a memorial donation to The COPD Foundation at http://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Help-Find-a-Cure/Donate.aspx