Mary Ellen Carmody-Harris

Mary Ellen (Carmody) Harris AURORA, CO Mary Ellen Harris - formerly Mary Ellen Carmody - died on July 19, 2007, after a short illness at age 82. Mary, known affectionately as "Red" to her many friends and family, or "Auntie Red" to her numerous nephews and nieces, was surrounded by her family at the time of her death. Mary Ellen was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on February 22, 1925, as one of nine children, to Claude and Marie Rucker. In her early childhood, Mary Ellen and her family traveled the Midwest as a traveling family band, entertaining many notable people including the Kellogg family. In 1940, the Rucker's moved to Port Huron, where Mary Ellen attended local schools and worked in her dad's restaurant, "Pops," on 24th Street across from the former Prestolite Company. She is most remembered for the years she worked at People Bank and the Carroll House clothing store, both in downtown Port Huron, and as one of the cafeteria staff at the former Port Huron Catholic High School. She was married to Vincent "Vinny" Carmody from June of 1948, until the time of his death in October of 1969. In November of 1975, Mary Ellen married Fred Harris. After his retirement from the Chrysler Corporation in Roseville, Michigan, Mary Ellen and Fred moved to Aurora, Colorado. Mary Ellen was a longtime member of the Elks in Port Huron and in Roseville, the Saint Ann's Alter Society for the St. Stephen's Catholic Church, and was the former President of the Christian Mothers for St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 32 years, Fred Harris; sons, Robert Carmody of Littleton, CO, James (Ralene) Carmody of Wyoming, MI, Thomas (Victoria) Carmody of Colorado Springs, CO; her grandchildren, Vincent (Brooke), Shannon, Rory, Colin, Sean (Crystal) Carmody, and her much loved Great-Grandson, Conor Carmody; her sister, Eileen Dowd of Denver, CO, and brother, Robert Rucker (Bonnie) of Pinon Hills, CA; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Vincent "Vinny" Carmody; her daughter, Kathleen; parents, Claude and Marie Rucker; and brothers, Tom, Jack, Claude "Mac" Jr., Bill, Joe and Jim Rucker. Cremation has already taken place. A special family memorial service was held in Denver, Colorado, on Sunday, July 22, 2007. A family visitation and memorial service will be held on Friday, August 3, 2007, at the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, 1720 Elk Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. Visitation hours are 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; with a eulogy at 7:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Blue Water Counseling, 1501 Krafft Road, Fort Gratiot, MI 48059, or to the American Red Cross 615 Pine Street, Port Huron, MI 48060.