Irma Elizabeth Harrison

IRMA ELIZABETH PRICE HARRISON, was the daughter of the late Nelson Lloyd Price and the late Elizabeth Price. She was the sister of the late Nelson Xavier Price. She was born on January 22, 1927, in Baltimore, Maryland and departed this life on July 4, 2011 after a brief illness. Although Irma briefly attended Catholic school, she was mainly a product of the Baltimore City Public School System. After graduating from Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School with Honors, she received a scholarship from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority to attend Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), where she became a member of that sorority and earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in History. She married the late Frederick Winfield Harrison in 1949 and raised six children. They remained married for thirty-six years, until Frederick’s death in 1985. Irma briefly taught in Baltimore City School System, and than worked for several years for the Social Security Administration. She retired from the United States Postal Service after more than twenty years of service. Irma lived her life as a devout Catholic. She attended St. Pius as a child, and she was a member of St. Veronica since its inception in the 1940s. Irma served the Church in many ways. For several years, she served as a member of the Parish Council, chaired the Stewardship Committee. She was one of the first women to join the St. Vincent de Paul Society when it opened its membership to women. After retiring, Irma devoted considerable time to the St. Vincent de Paul Society assisting the needy seeking clothing and furniture, and dispensing food in the food pantry. While dispensing food, Irma always made time to provide a listening ear and to give a word of encouragement to those who were unemployed, drug addicted, or just overwhelmed by the trials of life. Irma received a Mother Mary Lange, OSP Service Award in 2003 for her many years of service at St. Veroncia. To all who knew her, Irma was known for her spirit of giving. The charities to which she donated were numerous and there were not a friend, family member or neighbor that she would not help if she knew they were in need. Her philosophy was even if she had to give her last dollar to help someone seeking assistance, God would always help her fmd a way to replace what she had given away. Travel was one of Irma’s passions. She traveled extensively. She enjoyed visiting states as far away as Florida, California, Washington, Alaska and Maine, took numerous trips to the Caribbean Islands, and toured the countries of Canada, France, Egypt, Israel, Italy and Greece. Irma took many gambling and shopping trips to Atlantic City and Connecticut. She also enjoyed going to the theaters in Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and New York. At home, Irma relaxed with a good book, worked crossword puzzles, shopped on the QVC Network and enjoyed visits by her family and friends. Irma leaves to cherish her memory: daughter, Carolyn Harrison, Frieda Tanner, Lynn Dorsey, Coritha Harrison and Dana Harrison; son-in-law, Robert Tanner and Emerson Dorsey; ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, her cousins, the Nortons; and a host of other relatives and dear friends. She was preceded by her son, Frederick L. Harrison.

Tributes

Irma Elizabeth Harrison

January 22, 1927 - July 4, 2011