“A beautiful soul — her warmth filled every home, and her memory will forever fill our hearts.”
Pittstown, NY – Mary Elizabeth (Pannell) Harris, 89, a longtime and beloved resident of Boyntonville, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, surrounded by her devoted husband and loving family after a brief illness.
Born on October 10, 1935, in Brookneal, Virginia, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Charles S. and Rachel (Walker) Pannell. She later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. At the age of 19, Mary left Baltimore and moved to Troy, New York.
It was in Albany, NY, that she married the love of her life, Wilbert Harris, her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of 70 years. They were united in marriage on October 22, 1955. Wilbert often teased that Mary “married a young man,” since she was nine months older, a joke that always brought a laugh to both of them.
They began their life together in Troy, where they lived for several years while Wilbert built their family home a true labor of love that took 13 years to complete. Together, they created a warm, welcoming home in Boyntonville, New York, where they raised their four children and shared a lifetime of cherished memories.
Mary was known for her kindness, radiant smile, and resounding laugh. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone she met feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. She embodied pride, grace, and quiet strength, moving through life with dignity, compassion, and a natural sense of style that was uniquely her own.
Mary found her true calling as a pediatric nurse at the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy. For more than 32 years, she cared tenderly for mothers and newborns, offering not only medical care but also genuine warmth and comfort. As she grew in her career, she took younger nurses under her wing, mentoring them with patience and skill. Even during her own hospital stays, Mary couldn’t help but share a tip or gentle reminder with the nurses—her lifelong devotion to care and excellence shining through to the end. Mary retired at the age of 62 in the late 1990s, closing a remarkable chapter of service that touched countless lives.
A woman of deep faith, Mary gave her life to Christ at a very young age while attending Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Brookneal, Virginia, and later attended the First Baptist Church of Troy. She was blessed with many talents—a gifted writer, a creative crafter, and an exceptional cook known for her famous fried chicken. She was also wise beyond measure, always ready to offer sound advice or a comforting word. Above all, Mary was a woman of integrity and devotion who took great pride in caring for her husband and family.
From this union came four beloved children who will forever cherish her memory: Wilbert P. and his late wife, Jon, Harris of East Greenbush; Tyrone E. (Rebel) Harris of Schaghticoke; Nadine Harris of Mount Vernon; and Fred O. Harris of Petersburg. She also leaves behind her dear sister, Marie Addison (Ronald) of Maryland; brother-in-law, Dennis Harris (Doris) of Texas; sister-in-law, Barbara Pannell of Maryland; twelve cherished grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, one a little angel in heaven; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.
In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by two sisters, Helen Brooks and Arberdella Pannell, and one brother, Charles E. Pannell. She was also deeply connected to her extended Harris family, sharing a lifetime of love and laughter with her brothers- and sisters-in-law, who had gone on before her.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Raymertown, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m.
Mary’s legacy of love, laughter, and faith will forever live in the hearts of those who knew her. She was a woman of grace, wisdom, and unwavering devotion—a life beautifully lived and deeply loved.
Pittstown, NY – Mary Elizabeth (Pannell) Harris, 89, a longtime and beloved resident of Boyntonville, peacefully entered eternal rest on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, surrounded by her devoted husband and loving family after a brief illness.
Born on October 10, 1935, in Brookneal, Virginia, Mary was the cherished daughter of the late Charles S. and Rachel (Walker) Pannell. She later moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. At the age of 19, Mary left Baltimore and moved to Troy, New York.
It was in Albany, NY, that she married the love of her life, Wilbert Harris, her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of 70 years. They were united in marriage on October 22, 1955. Wilbert often teased that Mary “married a young man,” since she was nine months older, a joke that always brought a laugh to both of them.
They began their life together in Troy, where they lived for several years while Wilbert built their family home a true labor of love that took 13 years to complete. Together, they created a warm, welcoming home in Boyntonville, New York, where they raised their four children and shared a lifetime of cherished memories.
Mary was known for her kindness, radiant smile, and resounding laugh. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone she met feel seen, welcomed, and cared for. She embodied pride, grace, and quiet strength, moving through life with dignity, compassion, and a natural sense of style that was uniquely her own.
Mary found her true calling as a pediatric nurse at the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy. For more than 32 years, she cared tenderly for mothers and newborns, offering not only medical care but also genuine warmth and comfort. As she grew in her career, she took younger nurses under her wing, mentoring them with patience and skill. Even during her own hospital stays, Mary couldn’t help but share a tip or gentle reminder with the nurses—her lifelong devotion to care and excellence shining through to the end. Mary retired at the age of 62 in the late 1990s, closing a remarkable chapter of service that touched countless lives.
A woman of deep faith, Mary gave her life to Christ at a very young age while attending Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Brookneal, Virginia, and later attended the First Baptist Church of Troy. She was blessed with many talents—a gifted writer, a creative crafter, and an exceptional cook known for her famous fried chicken. She was also wise beyond measure, always ready to offer sound advice or a comforting word. Above all, Mary was a woman of integrity and devotion who took great pride in caring for her husband and family.
From this union came four beloved children who will forever cherish her memory: Wilbert P. and his late wife, Jon, Harris of East Greenbush; Tyrone E. (Rebel) Harris of Schaghticoke; Nadine Harris of Mount Vernon; and Fred O. Harris of Petersburg. She also leaves behind her dear sister, Marie Addison (Ronald) of Maryland; brother-in-law, Dennis Harris (Doris) of Texas; sister-in-law, Barbara Pannell of Maryland; twelve cherished grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, one a little angel in heaven; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will forever treasure her memory.
In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by two sisters, Helen Brooks and Arberdella Pannell, and one brother, Charles E. Pannell. She was also deeply connected to her extended Harris family, sharing a lifetime of love and laughter with her brothers- and sisters-in-law, who had gone on before her.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home, Inc., 2237 NY Route 7, Raymertown, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m.
Mary’s legacy of love, laughter, and faith will forever live in the hearts of those who knew her. She was a woman of grace, wisdom, and unwavering devotion—a life beautifully lived and deeply loved.
