Barbara D. ‘Bobbi’ Harris, administrator who was active in Presbyterian church affairs, dies

Barbara D. “Bobbi” Harris, a retired administrator who was active in Presbyterian church affairs, died Nov. 22 of cancer at Charter Senior Living of Towson. The Lutherville resident was 85.

“Barbara was a member of Govans Presbyterian Church for 20 years and was someone who always cared about other people, and no matter what was going on, she’d step in and help where help was needed,” said Jean Houck, a fellow parishioner. “She was always there for others and making sure people felt appreciated.”

“She was a wonderful, wonderful friend and the most loving, giving kindest person I’ve ever known, and we’ve been friends for 20 years,” said Dorothy Morrison, who was a member with Mrs. Harris of Government Street Presbyterian Church in Mobile, Alabama. “I’m so glad she’s in heaven.”

Barbara Penfield Dane, who was born in Washington, was the daughter of Charles Dane, a U.S. Geological Survey worker, and Alva Dane, a homemaker.

After graduating from what is today Jackson-Reed High School in 1956, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She later obtained a master’s degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.

While at Smith, she met and fell in love with an Amherst College student, Joseph “Mac” Harris, whom she married in 1960.

“Mac took Bobbi sailing for the very first time for their honeymoon, and though this tested their young love, it led to many happy years sailing together on Long Island Sound and on the inland waterway in Florida,” wrote a son, George Harris, of Simsbury, Connecticut, in a biographical sketch of his mother.

Her husband, a general contractor, moved to Indian Harbor Beach, Florida, in 1972. She then worked as an administrator for the Brevard County Mental Health Center before taking a similar position with Harris Corp. — no relation — an American technology company.

She retired from Harris in 2002, and after her husband’s death in 2003, moved to Mobile, Alabama, where she lived until moving to Lutherville a decade ago.

“A woman of great faith, Barbara was an active member of the Presbyterian church everywhere she lived,” her son wrote. “In addition to singing in the choir, she participated in Bible studies and women’s groups and volunteering for ministries to the less fortunate. Until her passing, her belief in the power of positive thinking never wavered.”

While living in Mobile, Mrs. Harris was presented a lifetime achievement award by the Government Street Presbyterian Church in 2012.

“At GSPC, we had a 7 a.m. coffee club for the homeless and Barbara was always out there offering encouragement and seeing to their needs,” Mrs. Morrison said. “She was a very open, joyful, personable and wonderful person.”

When she relocated to Lutherville, Mrs. Harris became an active member of Govans Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir and serving on various committees.

“I was fortunate to get to meet her when she joined our church and she got involved right away. She was always jumping into things in order to help out,” said Kit Clark, a friend.

“When my husband suddenly died, she took me to lunch, and she was so warm and understanding about it all,” Mrs. Clark said.

Mrs. Clark, and another church member, Carol Hamilton, became a threesome with Mrs. Harris.

“We decided to do some fun things, so we took a road trip to the Eastern Shore,” Mrs. Clark said. “Barbara loved to travel and was always willing to jump into the car and go someplace.”

The three friends also liked going to Mrs. Harris’ house, where they would share soup and sandwiches while watching the birds

“Barbara was a great host. She and Carol both knew birds, but I didn’t,” Mrs. Clark said, with a laugh.

A musician, Mrs. Harris played the violin and continued taking lessons later in life. She also had perfect pitch which served her well in the church choirs she participated in throughout her lifetime.

An avid reader of historical fiction, she enjoyed playing bridge until recently.

“In her later years, when faced with cascading health problems, Barbara demonstrated a profound desire and commitment to live the best life possible, for as long as possible. And that she did,” her son wrote.

“The word I like to describe her is feisty, and Barbara certainly had a lot of personal strength and fought hard until the end,” Mrs. Houck said. “She was truly a great woman.”

A Memorial service will be held for her at Govans Presbyterian Church at 5828 York Road in Belvedere Square, at 4 p.m. Saturday.

In addition to her son, she is survived by two other sons, the Rev. Thomas Harris, pastor of Govans Presbyterian Church, who lives in Lutherville, and Stephen Harris, of Mobile; and three grandchildren. A daughter, Phoebe Harris, died in infancy.