The Life of Karen Jane Harris

It’s with sadness we write of the death of Karen J. Harris, beloved sister, aunt, cousin and friend of many. Karen was born in Washington D.C. on March 5, 1948, the first born in a family of nine to Mary C. and Walter D. Harris II.

Karen grew up in Alexandria, VA and attended St. Mary’s Academy (class of 1966) and was a good student and athlete. She loved playing softball and riding horses when she was young and carried her love of all animals throughout her life. 

After graduating college with honors from Barat College of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois in 1970, Karen returned home where she began a career with the U.S. Post Office, settling in the midwest in the mid-1970’s. With talent and determination, Karen worked in the USPS Central Region Headquarters where she was a Logistics Systems Planning Specialist, overseeing the distribution of mail for the southwestern region of the United States, retiring in 2003.

Karen truly loved her greystone neighborhood of N. Paulina in Chicago, which she shared with her longtime partner of many years Roy Tanzer, who preceded her in death. She was fond of the people, restaurants and culture of her surrounding Chicago neighborhoods. This of course included her beloved Cubbies, and caring for the occasional stray cat that found their way to her welcoming heart.

Karen was vivacious, witty, creative, generous, and had a deep sense of compassion. Upon moving back east to be with family, it’s there she passed away after her long battle with
Parkinson’s disease and failing health.

In lieu of flowers, it’s Karen’s wish that donations be made in her memory to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., Kanab, UT 84741.