DeNiene Mary Harris, 58, Murrieta, Calif., died Dec. 12, 2014, at her home after battling colon cancer for nearly four years. She was born on July 27, 1958, in Burlington, to James and Irene Phillips.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1976. After graduating from IBA Beauty School, she worked a number of years as a cosmetologist for JC Penney in Milwaukee, and then in Los Angeles, before establishing her own beauty salon in Chatswoth, Calif., with her business partner, Raja Syriani.
She married Michael Harris, ‘the boy next door,’ on May 29, 1982, in Burlington. Following marriage she joined Michael in Los Angeles and the family moved to San Diego in 2000. She loved her San Diego Chargers and during football season on any Sunday you could find her at the Chargers game cheering on her neighbor Antonio Gates or at home watching the game on TV and messaging her friends on Facebook. She enjoyed the holidays, decorating the house and entertaining family and friends. She also enjoyed making fleece-tie blankets and giving them as gifts to friends and family. She served on the Board of Egremont, the children’s grade school.
She easily made friends with her outgoing personality, direct communication style, and big heart. She had a positive impact on many lives, and inspired many with her overwhelming strength and positive attitude throughout her battle with cancer. She will be missed by many, but never forgotten.
Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Michael Harris; children, Brittani and Christopher Harris; father, James Phillips; sisters, Lisa Hernandez and Jackie Robers; brothers, Jim and John Phillips; sisters-in-law, Patti Phillips, Penny Harris, Judy Harris; brothers-in-law, Tom Robers, Don and Terry Harris.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Phillips; mother-in-law, Geraldine Harris; father-in-law, LeRoy Harris; and brother-in-law, Jessie Hernandez.
Viewing and vigil is Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5-8 p.m., at Poway-Bernardo Mortuary, Poway, Calif., and a memorial Mass and entombment at noon on Friday, Dec. 19, at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.
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