Obituary of Edith C. Harris

Edith "Dean" Corley Harris, age 96, passed peacefully Tuesday, October 14, 2014, at her daughter's home in West Ellicott. She was born February 1, 1918 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but moved at a young age to Brooklyn, New York where she spent most of her life before retiring to Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and then to Florida. She was the daughter of Joseph and Emily (Matthews) Corley. Dean lived a long and full life. She was a model in Brooklyn, New York, modeling women's suits and fur coats, served as a Gray Lady during World War II and entertained the troops at the USO. Her next career was as a bank teller and then loan officer at the former Irving Trust Company in Rockefeller Center, New York City where she met many Broadway stars and saw many of the great Broadway plays of the time. Dean exhibited an artistic ability in High School in pen and ink as well as etchings, and went on to oil painting, even being awarded an Honorable Mention at the Wall Street Art Association. She also crafted in needlework and sewing which she passed on to her daughter. Her greatest joy however was her work researching the genealogy of the Corley family history which spanned almost 45 years and opened wonderful new friendships across the country. She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Harris. She is survived by her only child, Christine Humphrey (Robert Cordosi,) and three grandsons, David (Jennifer) Tyler of Florida, Luke (Lyndi Frase) Sevenish of Salamanca, and Daniel (Tiffany Davis) Sevenish of Jamestown, her great grandchildren, Haven, Alexis, Kalob, and Carra as well as her beloved step great grandchildren, Ronald Davis III, and Jazlynn, Serenity and Caiden Snyder. No visitation or service will be observed. Friends and family may visit at her home Friday, October 17 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. Those wishing to may make a donation in her name to Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750 or Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may light a candle in remembrance of Dean at www.lindfuneralhome.com.