Nancy McNamara Harris

Nancy McNamara Harris passed away peacefully on October 22, 2024 at her home at North Hill in Needham, MA at the age of 99.  She was a wonderful, vibrant, smart, and beautiful wife, mother, and grandmother.

Nancy was born in Burlington, VT on January 27, 1925, to Mary Patricia (Magner) and Joseph McNamara.  Her devoted husband of 64 years, G.B.Clifton Harris, M.D., passed away in 2022.  She is survived by her four daughters: M. Patricia Harris, M.D. of Asbury, NJ; Kathryn Harris, M.D. and her husband Tony Medeiros of Mansfield, MA; Amy Harris of Peru, VT; and Polly Harris and her husband Rich Sturim of Charlotte, VT.  She is also survived by her 8 grandchildren: Sarah and Anna Gleicher; Matthew and Ry Medeiros; Carly and Will Helmetag; and Elias and Sam Sturim.  She was predeceased by her 2 sisters: Maureen McNamara and Martha (McNamara) Mahoney; and her brother James McNamara.

Nancy grew up in Burlington, VT and graduated from the University of Vermont.  She worked in the fashion industry, first in NYC at Bonwit Teller, then in Boston as a buyer at Filene’s.  She was a fashion reporter at Women’s Wear Daily and covered the fashion at the wedding of Sen. John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, RI in 1953.  She later gave her sketches and the article from that event to the JFK Library in Boston.  While working in Boston, she met her husband-to-be, Clif, after she broke her leg.  At the time, Clif was a radiologist-in-training at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, and he took her x-rays.  Their romance began when Nancy invited Clif to her “cast-off” party.

Nancy and Clif were married in 1957 and they raised their 4 daughters in Needham.  Nancy was involved as a volunteer at St. Bartholomew Church.  She also was elected as a Town Meeting Member in Needham.  After raising her daughters, Nancy worked as a tour guide for Executours of Boston and as a career counselor at Wider Opportunities for Women.

The family spent winter weekends skiing in NH and VT, and summers at Starr Farm Beach on Lake Champlain.  They were members of the Needham Pool and Racquet Club, the Needham Golf Club, and the Lake Mansfield Trout Club in VT.  In later years, Nancy and Clif spent winters in Sarasota, FL and enjoyed traveling with friends.

Her family is grateful for the loving care she received at North Hill in Needham, and especially the care team at Vista Terrace.  Donations in Nancy’s memory may be made to: The North Hill Team Member Appreciation Fund, ℅ Bert Dane, 865 Central Ave, Apt F501, Needham, MA, 02492. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Bartholomew Church, 1180 Greendale Ave, Needham on Saturday Nov. 9, 2024, at 10 am. Interment will follow at Needham Cemetery.

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