HARRIS, Mary Jane Mason

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Posted: Sunday, January 6, 2013 - Mary Jane Mason Harris passed away Dec. 23, 2012, after losing a yearlong battle with cancer. M.J., as her friends called her, was born April 10, 1940, to Walter and Pearl Thibedeau, in Los Angeles, Calif. Mary Jane was an extremely hard worker and wasn’t afraid to take on new challenges. In her 20s she supported her three children by working at a plywood mill in Roseburg, Ore. She was an excellent caregiver, as she also took care of her father following a stroke. After moving to Lake Havasu City, she operated the donut wagon at our swap meet for a few years. In her 40s she went to cosmetology school at Charles of Italy Beauty College and became a hairdresser. M.J. worked at Sunshine Hair Shapers and ran the beauty shop at the nursing home. She was passionate about doing hair and taking care of the elderly. In her 50s she opened Harris House Adult Care Home. After 10 years of operating the home and a lifetime of hard work, she finally retired. M.J. was the kind of person who would help anyone, she’d give you her last $5 if needed. She always had something cooked and nobody ever left her home hungry. M.J. wouldn’t want people to mourn her passing, instead remember her for all the kind things she did while on this earth. She loved flowers, especially wild flowers. Every time you see them, think of her. Her family will dearly miss her; husband, Arnold; brothers, David Thibedeau, Carmichael, Calif., Bob Thibedeau, Halsey, Ore.; and sister, Ruth Zieman, Lake Havasu City; children, Barbara Ferguson (Joey Sugamele), Lake Havasu City; Steve Ireland and Gary Sproul, Oregon; grandchildren, Kerri Ferguson, Mitch Ferguson (Jodi), Colton Esala and Garrett Sproul all of Lake Havasu; great-grandchildren, Dannika, Bryce, Kendall, Natalee and our newest little angel, Irelynn; also numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. Condolences can be sent to M.J.’s family at barbferguson50@gmail.com