Marilyn Jenet (St. Gemme) Harris
PARK HILLS — Marilyn Jenet (St. Gemme) Harris, of Terre Du Lac, Missouri, passed away peacefully at Bethesda Dilworth, St. Louis, Missouri October 7, 2018, having reached 85 years of age. Born as a New Year’s baby January 1, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Kathryn St. Gemme of Park Hills, Missouri.
Marilyn was a graduate of Flat River High School where she proudly wore her purple and white marching band uniform. She was also known to tap dance. She met and married her high school sweetheart, Bud Harris in 1950. Bud joined the Air Force and they began their life together as a military family. Assignments took them to England, Spain and Canada. They spent their early retirement years in Belleville, Illinois, and ultimately settled in Terre Du Lac to enjoy lake life, family and friends.
Marilyn was a successful career woman as a realtor and Coldwell Banker Real Estate manager. She served as an active member of her sorority Beta Sigma Phi throughout her lifetime. We honor her as an accomplished cook, gardener and party planner. Her family and friends recall her over-the-top Christmases, class reunions and 4th of July lake celebrations. She is remembered as a passionate reader, poet and author/writer. She was a self-published author of several poetry and cookbooks. She loved fashion and accessories, with a particular fondness of shoes.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Denzil Bernard “Bud” Harris; her brother, Wayne St. Gemme, husband of Shirley St. Gemme of Desloge, Missouri.
Marilyn is survived by son, William “Bill” (Jeannie) Harris of Glendale, Missouri; daughter, Karen (Mark) Devine of Salem, Missouri; daughter, Kim (Karl) Banach of Evanston, Illinois. Her grandchildren are Jason Brassard, Jennifer (Sean) Sullivan, Andrew (Jessie) Harris, Peter (Ashley) Harris, Courtney Banach, and Annie (Andrew) Hicklin. She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren, or as she affectionately named them, “her littles.” Her lifelong commitment to family tradition and support will be carried down for generations. We honor her contagious spirit, endless generosity and genuine kindness.
She will be lovingly remembered by her brother Dale and wife Betty St. Gemme of Farmington, Missouri; brother Garry St. Gemme of Farmington, Missouri; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation for family and friends will be 5 p.m. until time of funeral service at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2018, 7:00 p.m. at Horton Wampler Funeral Home, 1 Federal Park Avenue in Park Hills, Missouri. Burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery 10:45 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Parkinson Foundation at Parkinson.org.
