Ann Marie (Perley) Harris of Manchester by the Sea, passed away at the age of 85 on February 21st 2020 in Beverly with her family by her side.
Ann was born in St. Albans Vermont on August 27th 1934, the only child of Evelyn and Norman Perley. She moved to Jersey Lane in Manchester to live with her father and stepmother Clarice at age 14. She graduated from Beverly High School and then proceeded to graduate from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston.
In 1955, Ann married Manchester native Ralph N. Harris. Together they raised 4 daughters (no easy feat in the 60’s,70’s and 80’s). In the later years of raising her daughters, she went to work as a legal secretary for Judge Edward Morley followed by Attorneys Francis and Ellen Flatley and Paul Cullinane. She finished her career in Boston working for Attorney Donald MacRae.
Ann was an avid reader, a cross word puzzle master and loved doing jigsaw puzzles.
During the summers, you would find Ann perched to the left on Singing Beach with Cynthia and the other moms while the kids took their Red Cross swimming lessons - rain or shine and enjoyed the beach. Only during big waves and warm water, would you find the mothers getting their suits wet. At the end of the day, the Country Squire wagon full of kids would leave the beach parking lot to head home, sometimes without all heads accounted for.
For someone raised as an only child, she did an amazing job raising 4 girls and running a busy household. It was a hub for all the daughters’ friends.
Ralph and Ann created an opportunity for their daughters to have a very wonderful childhood with fond memories of the beach, Tucks Point, boating, ice cream, camping, skiing and holidays that will live on.
She loved Surf Combo Pizza, Essex Fried Clams and Nicks Roast Beef.
Ann had many neighbors and acquaintances in Manchester and was known for her friendly, gentile way of connecting with individuals.
Ann is survived by daughters Paige Harris, Patricia (Trish) Goodwin, and Paula Harris of Beverly, and Pam Pimentel of Epping N.H. and grandson Kyle Pimentel also of Epping, lifelong friend Cynthia Mitchell and daughters, many Harris family nieces and nephews along with other close friends and extended family members. She was predeceased by her former husband, Ralph, and son-in-law Daniel Goodwin.
The family would particularly like to thank Manchester Fire/EMS and Senior Care Meals on Wheels for allowing her to stay in her home for as long as possible. When you are out and about, take a “Spin the Beach” for Ann.
Services for Ann will be private. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manchester Council on Aging.
