Marjorie Harmon

Marjorie Jane (Morrison) Harmon, age 94, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2017 in Erie, PA.

Margie was born June 15, 1923 on a farm in Hawthorn, Pa, the oldest child of Percie and Cora Mae (Hepler) Morrison.  She walked 4 miles to a country school and had 8 years of perfect attendance.

She graduated in 1941 from Hawthorn High School.

Margie was also a dancer. Her mother helped her attend college by selling eggs and baked goods, while Margie tended a house in exchange for room and board- so she graduated in 1942 from DuBois Business College.

During WWII she worked as a secretary at Fairfield Aircraft Corp. in Hagerstown, MD.  After the war she worked at the Climax Fire Brick Company in New Bethlehem and then married the dashing Ervin Harmon in November 1947 with a formal church wedding and a reception at the Bostonia Country Club.  They lived in New Bethlehem until they relocated to Erie in 2002. While in New Bethlehem, she was very active in the Presbyterian Church, was a lifetime member of the Woman’s Association and the American Legion Auxiliary, was part of the Civic Club, the Jolly Jill’s and volunteered at the Thrift Shop.

She was a tireless homemaker and caregiver for 10 plus years for her mother in Hawthorn who was bedridden and also for her father in law who resided in their home until his death at age 98. After moving to Erie, Margie was active in the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Pioneer Church Garden Club; and the Erie Guild of Craftsmen.

Husband Erv passed away in 2005, so in 2008 Margie and daughter Debbie moved in with daughter Eve and family and all became the Erie Waltons. Margie made “Cozy Covers” and sold hundreds at area craft shows, which she absolutely loved to do. She always had an adventurous spirit, so on her 90^th birthday in 2013 she and her granddaughter went on a sightseeing plane ride over the Erie area. She loved planes, so this was a grand day for her.

Her health steadily declined and in Dec 2014 she moved into Manchester Commons Personal Care. But with the care and compassion that she received there, she rebounded and was able to live a very happy and comfortable life there. The staff loved her and she had many dear friends among the residents. The care she received gave her a wonderful quality of life for her last few years.

Margie was thrifty and hardworking all of her life. She never forgot the Depression and always lived accordingly. She wasted nothing. She loved to sew and do laundry. She was always interested in people, their lives, and their problems. She took great pride in cleanliness and was an excellent homemaker.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Bill Marrison, her husband of 58 years, Erv Harmon and her beloved daughter Debbie Keller who passed away two weeks earlier on October 6^th.

Margie is survived by daughter Eve Allen; Margie’s beloved son in law, Bryan Allen; granddaughters, Abbey (David) Camp of Erie, and Poppy (Christopher) Archer of Frederick, MD; and grandson, Christopher Allen of Erie. She is also survived by a sister, Shirley Etzel of Dunkirk, NY; a sister in law, Clare Morrison of Ebensburg, PA; dear friend, Sara Heppenstall of Pittsburgh; many other dear friends in Erie and New Bethlehem; and many nieces and nephews all over the country.

According to Margie’s wishes, she will be cremated and then laid to rest beside Erv and Debbie at Mt. Zion Cemetery in New Bethlehem at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, 403 Penn St. New Bethlehem, PA 16242,  Westminster Presbyterian Church 3642 W. 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506 or to Presbyterian Senior Care Network 6351 W. Lake Road, Erie, PA 16506.

“All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in Heaven at last”.

Arrangements are under the Care of the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 W 26^th Street, Erie, PA 16506.