Mary Elizabeth Harris, 16, of Moretown, Vermont, perished alongside four close friends on October 8, 2016, in a tragic car accident. She was born to Elizabeth Mays Harris and Daniel Mark Harris on February 28, 2000, in Randolph, Vermont.
Mary was a junior at Harwood Union High School. An active parishioner at Saint Patrick's and Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, she was confirmed in May 2016.
At Harwood Union High School, Mary was involved in numerous activities. She was a great athlete, competing in soccer, basketball and lacrosse. Raised in a family of avid skiers, she loved skiing with her family and friends at Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. She was an honors student enrolled in many Advanced Placement courses. Attending MedQuest camp in summer 2016, one day she aspired to be a pediatric surgeon.
Mary loved children and they loved her. She was often encircled by little ones at her feet. She provided child care for many families in the Mad River Valley. She also worked at The Bridges and at Vermont North Ski Shop.
Quick with a smile or a kind word, she lit up every room. Beyond a list of accomplishments, to know her was to know what exemplifies an extraordinary young lady. Understanding and kindness came naturally to her; she will be deeply missed.
Mary is survived by her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth; her three sisters, Isabella Ray (18), Eloise Margret (12), Hazel Irene (11), and brother, Peter Jenkins (8); maternal grandparents, Robert and Audry Mays formerly of Moretown and currently residing in Merritt Island, Florida, and Barbara and Bill Wilson of Findlay, Ohio. She is predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Ray Jenkins Harris Jr. She is also survived by 17 remarkable cousins and 16 loving aunts and uncles.
Funeral Liturgy and Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church in Waitsfield, Vermont, on Monday, October 17, at 11 a.m. Donations in memory of Mary may be made to St. Patrick’s Church to benefit needy families in our community.
Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com.
