Obituary of Jane Harris

Jane Marie Harris died May 7th, 2011 at St. Luke's Hospital, after a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was born April 29th, 1946 at St. Luke's Hospital in Boise, a very special anniversary gift to her parents. Daughter of Ardis Marie Simpson Hewitt and John West Hewitt she grew up in Boise's beloved North End, attending Washington Elementary, North Junior High, and Boise High Schools. She attended University of Idaho and was a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity. Janie married Bruce Sherlock, on May 6th, 1966 and they had a son, Robert Christopher Sherlock. They later divorced. Janie tutored reading for eleven years at both Washington and Franklin Elementary schools in Boise. In 1978, she met Gene Harris after his move to Boise in 1977. They married on April 21st, 1985 in a backyard ceremony at her parents' home on 18th Street. She later retired from teaching and became Gene's manager, traveling around the globe with Gene and the many talented musicians. After Gene's passing in 2000, Janie served as the Creative Director for the Gene Harris Jazz Festival. Janie also hosted a half hour radio show from the campus of BSU, called Jazz Straight Ahead with Janie Harris. She is survived by her son Rob Sherlock, two grandsons Robbie and Zachary, her brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Terry Hewitt, nephews and niece Jaimie, Chris and Sarah, brother and sister-in-law Jock and Charlene Hewitt, her niece, Elizabeth Hewitt Voss and nephews John Hewitt and Jeff Hewitt. Her sister and brother-in-law Ardie Hewitt and Chris Bodily and nieces Hannah Bodily, Jane Gordon and nephew Jack Gordon and Gordy Williamson and family. This grateful family wishes to thank these dear friends who helped Janie beyond measure; Chris Burgener, Cherie Buckner-Webb, Linda Larson Decker, Julie Baggs, Jan Mitchell and Paul Tillotson. A celebration of Janie's life will be held Friday, August 12th at 4:00 P.M. in the Simplot Room at Boise State University's Student Union Building.