Obituary of Mary Lou Harrison

Mary Lou Harrison, of 31 Brooklyn St., life-long resident of Portville, died November 7, 2016 after a long illness. She was born on March 11, 1930, to Dr. Duncan Lee and Catherine Scheiterle Wormer at Olean General Hospital. A 1948 graduate of Portville High School, she was valedictorian. In 1952, she graduated from the University of Rochester, Eastman Campus, with a BA in biology. On August 5, 1953, in the garden of her family home at 9 Temple Street, Portville, she married Ivan H. Harrison, DDS, who survives. She worked in the lab at Hewitt-Robbins Restfoam in Buffalo, while Ike earned his DDS. They lived at Hunter AFB, Savannah Ga., while he served at the base dental clinic. They moved back to Portville in 1958 and have lived here ever since. After having her children, she earned a Masters in Education from Saint Bonaventure University in 1969. She taught science classes at Portville Central School as a substitute teacher for many years. She was a mother and wife first and a bridge player second. She loved her card games. She also volunteered as treasurer for the alumni association for 20 years and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Portville for over 50 years. She loved domestic travel as well as cruises abroad and they spent many winters in Daytona Beach Shores, FL, where she attended church and played bridge regularly. In addition to her husband of 63 years, she is survived by her 4 children, Michael (Susan) Harrison, M.D., of Evansville, IN., Emily (Gary) Woodhead, of Portville, Cathy (Norm Schillaci) Harrison, D.D.S., of Fairport, and Cindy (Terry) Keeley, also of Portville; 11 grandchildren, Audrey, Evan, and Meredith Harrison, Carly (Josh) Painter, Alex (Nicole) Woodhead, Bizzy and Kristin Woodhead, Ted and Margie Pfeffer, and twins, Emma and Anna Keeley: and 5 great grandchildren, Drake and Neleha Wiedemann, Avery and Oliver Woodhead, and Evelyn Painter. She is also survived by one sister, Carolyn (Mark) Hannon, of Portville, and one brother, Duncan C. (Mary Ellen), Wormer, M.D., of Jacksonville, FL., and numerous nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents and a brother, Donald A. (Elinor) Wormer, M.D. Friends will be received Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home #646 E. State Street, Olean. Where Funeral Services will be held on Thursday November 10, 2016 at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Marilyn Hale, Pastor of the Portville First Presbyterian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Portville. Memorials may be made to the Portville Historical and Preservation Society, PO Box 59, Portville, NY 14770 or to the Portville First Presbyterian Church, P O Box 765, Portville, NY 14770. Online condolences may be made by clicking the button above.