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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Irene M. Harris, age 68. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, S.C. after an eight year, courageous and heroic battle with Multiple Myeloma. Irene was born on October 31, 1948 in Montreal, Canada, the daughter of Albert and Gloria (Nykenan) Henson. Irene married her high school sweetheart, Bill, at the age of 19. After working at Johnson & Johnson briefly, she decided to turn her love of family into a full time career raising 4 children in Chateauguay, Quebec. As the children grew and Bill’s career progressed, she traveled the world and lived in London, England for three years where she thoroughly embraced her new surroundings and found happiness in volunteering at White Lodge Centre for the disabled. Another work transfer for Bill took them to the city of Los Angeles, CA where she continued her charitable spirit of volunteering at Los Robles Hospital. They next moved to San Francisco, CA before finally deciding to retire in Pawleys Island, S.C. in 2000 to live out their retirement together. Irene loved spending time at the beach, reading, and taking long drives with her loving husband but nothing brought her greater joy than time spent with family. Irene left an imprint on everyone she met with her positive spirit and selfless, kind heart which touched so many lives. She treated everyone with dignity, respect and took genuine interest in everyone she encountered. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, William H. Harris; four children, Sherri (Bruce) Lux, Trent (Andrea) Harris, Amy (Chris) Harris, and Ryan (Eva) Harris; ten grandchildren: Sarah, Kayla and Justin Lux, Ethan and Cameron Harris, Jesse and Sam Labar, and Tundi, Timea, and Tristan Harris; her mother Gloria Henson; sisters Carol (Ron) Masse, Brenda Estergaard, and Susan Burford; brother Robert (Darlene) Henson; sister-in-law Karen (Scott) Park. She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Henson, sister Jean (Jim) Henson, mother-in-law Beatrice Harris, father-in-law Charles (Bud) Harris, and brother-in-laws Norm Burford and Doug Estergaard. A private family memorial service and celebration of her life will be held in her honor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or The Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, S.C.

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Irene M Harris

October 31, 1948 - December 20, 2016