Service Details
The family will hold a private service for Phyllis. In addition – a one-hour virtual event will be held using Zoom to celebrate Phyllis on Saturday, January 23 at 10 am CST. If you would like to attend the virtual event, please send an email to: celebratephyllisharris@gmail.com and an event link will be sent to you. Phyllis will be laid to rest at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove with the love of her life – Russ Harris.
Racine – Phyllis J. Harris (nee: Crocco), age 83, of Racine, passed away peacefully at St. Monica’s Senior Living on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
She was born in Racine on July 12, 1937, daughter of the late Anthony and Caroline Crocco. Phyllis was very proud of her Italian heritage loving our large family gatherings. She graduated from William Horlick High School in 1955 where she met the love of her life – Russ Harris. The two were married on September 29, 1956 at St. Joseph’s in Racine.
Those who knew Phyllis would often describe her as colorful, a force of nature, a human dynamo, funny, energetic, sassy, warm and kind with a great laugh and smile. She taught her children many important life lessons based on how she treated people. Phyllis’ house was the place in the neighborhood where the kids always wanted to play – and she made sure we all learned our manners. She was like a second “Mom” to many of our friends and relatives. And you always knew where you stood with Phyllis.
To those lucky enough to experience Christmastime with Phyllis, she had an amazing and warm display of Christmas trees in her home – one year she had 14 trees in all! She loved rock and roll, was a wonderful cook who loved to feed everybody, adored her dogs and was proud of her kids and grandkids. Phyllis was a generous and compassionate person who always thought about others first.
She worked for many years at S.C. Johnson in Racine. While working full-time, Phyllis earned her bachelor’s degree from Alverno College at the age of 52, and we beamed with pride. Starting in Human Resources at SCJ – she ended up working with international employees who would come to Racine with their families for a few years. Phyllis would make sure they got what they needed to be comfortable in their new home, often welcoming them into her own home for meals and celebrations. For a kid born and raised in Racine, Phyllis made many lifelong friends from around the world.
Phyllis is survived by her sons, Ken (Dawn) Harris, Mike (Peggy) Harris, Pat Harris and Rusty Harris, all in Racine; her grandchildren, Breanna (DeMont) Mitchell of San Antonio, TX, Natalie (Colin) Zeman of Green Bay, Ellen Harris of Milwaukee, Claire Harris of Brooklyn, NY and Sam Harris of Los Angeles, CA; her great grandchildren DJ, LaRen and Malachi Mitchell; her sister Toni Eucalano and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Russ; sisters Melly Boone, Jenny Gentz and Rita Bernatovich; brother in-laws Tony Eucalano, Duane Gentz, Jack Boone and Ben Bernatovich; father and mother in-law Russell and Minnie Harris; and sisters in-law Gladys (Charles) Simanek, Muriel (Harvey) Kraft and Arlene (John) Sorenson.
The family will hold a private service for Phyllis. In addition – a one-hour virtual event will be held using Zoom to celebrate Phyllis on Saturday, January 23 at 10 am CST. If you would like to attend the virtual event, please send an email to: celebratephyllisharris@gmail.com and an event link will be sent to you.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Monica’s Senior Living or the Wisconsin Humane Society. The family wishes to thank everyone at St. Monica’s for their loving care and support.
Phyllis will be laid to rest at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove with the love of her life – Russ Harris.
Pat Falduto says
I worked with Phyllis at S.C. Johnson in Human Resources. Her smile, kindness and caring were always appreciated. She was such a joy to work with. Rest In Peace Dear Phyllis.
Carol Riekena says
A great lady. I enjoyed getting to know her. Condolences to the family.
Allen Walek says
i am very sorry to hear that Phyllis has passed. What a beautiful and thoughtful obituary that has been written for Phyllis, I will miss her!
Jill Fletcher says
I had the pleasure of working with Phyllis in International HR at SCJ. I always told her she was “mother to the world”. Her global welcome was like no other. I loved her Italian spunk and was grateful to share a Christmas concert with her at St. Monica’s in 2019. She taught me a lot about how to be a loving grandma. The world has definitely lost a good one with her passing. Your family will be in my prayers as you grieve the passing of your Matriarch! ❤️🙏
Della Alvarez says
My prayers and condolences to the Harris family.
Rita and Michelle Rigg says
Dearest Phyllis many family members
We are indeed honoured by knowing Phyllis and especially all the invaluable help she bestowed on us, my late husband Glenn Rigg ,of International Division of SC Johnson from 1976 to 1978. We miss and live you very much may Phyllis Rest In Peace .
From Rita and Michelle Rigg now living in Brisbane Ausyrslua
Jeff passarelli says
Ken, Mike, Pat, Rusty,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. Always enjoyed the times spent hanging out at your house. Your mom was the best, truly a great lady and will be missed. Your mom always made sure we felt welcomed. And well cared for.
I recall many great times spent talking with her about our Italian heritage.
My sincere condolences to the entire family.
Losing the family patriarch is never easy, I know she will be missed immensely.
God bless you Phylliss.
Jeff Passarelli family.
Jane Seiter says
I worked with Phyllis at SCJ in Human Resources for many years. She always was kind, especially to the new Foreign Service Employees. It’s unfortunate that at this time one cannot properly show their respect by attending an in-person visitation or service. My condolences to the family. You’ll surely be missed Phyllis.
Will Archer says
Phyllis was a wonderful lady. She helped me and my family move here from England in 1989 and helped us tremendously with finding a place to live and signing up for other things. She was so welcoming and made us feel like family.
Karmen Pierce says
So sorry to hear about Phyllis. I worked with her when she was in International. She was always so helpful and willing to help anyone and she had the greatest sense of humor. Prayers to the Family.
Carolyn Boone says
Aunt Phyllis is somewhere in the room for every happy Crocco memory I have, from the earliest on. She was the laughter, the singing, the snark, she was what made us Crocco. How lucky we were to have her keep our family together all these years. My heart is broken.
Jyoti Chopra/Zubin Bharucha says
Phyllis introduced us to Al Walek and between the two of them found us our first home in Racine. She will be in our thoughts.
Colín and Jane Hammond says
We are so sorry to hear of Phyllis passing. We have some lovely memories of her. She helped us to find a home when we moved from England in 2001. I have lovely memories of a beautiful person who was kind, funny always smiling. I considered Phyllis as a good friend. When I came back to Racine to visit, Phyllis arranged for me to have one of her Jeeps to drive. She would go out of her way to make sure us people from overseas were happy and settling in. Condolences to her family. A good friend. RIP Phyllis.
Jim (Chooch) and Jamie Miller says
Ken, Mike, Pat, & Rusty,
I am so very sorry to hear the passing of your Mom, She was one special woman that raised me like her 5th son. Her sassy, spunky personality will
always be remembered and greatly missed by many. I have so many fond memories of this wonderful family and the matriarch and the glue that held it all together will be GREATLY missed. I loved your Mom so much and my heart is broken. Thoughts and prayers to all my Harris brothers. Love you guys and God Bless…
Carolyn Stores Dorner says
Your Mom was awesome! I’m sorry for your loss.
Carolyn Storves Dorner says
Your Mom was awesome! I’m sorry for your loss.
Randy and Barbara Brown says
We had the great pleasure o f knowing Russ, Phyllis,and the boys for many years. She was a good friend. Oh what a laugh. We would run into her at the grocery store once in awhile, I think the whole store could here us talking and laughing. On a lighter note, Phyllis and I won a dance contest at the old Paradise North, about 100 years ago. What a fun person to be around and will be missed dearly. Our deepest sympathies to the family.
Joan Hubbard says
So sorry to hear about Phyliss. She loved to laugh and had a great sense of humor. She will be missed. Condolences to the family. May she RIP.
Debbie (Miller) and John Lipari says
Kenny, Mike, Pat and Rusty,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. She was a very special lady and a pleasure to know, just loved her! She had the most contagious laugh and smile. She will be dearly missed!
Randy Curtin says
I am very sad to learn of Phyllis’s passing. We worked together many dozens of times as she made arrangements for her international clients, I as the manager of many local properties. Over the years we formed a professional and personal bond. I very much enjoyed her friendship, and especially her candor. She was very good at what she did and I always found her fun to talk to. On occasion I ended up talking with Russ when I called the house number to speak with Phyllis. What a great guy he was! A great lady, a great couple. My condolences to the family.
Jane Bernatovich says
Harris Family,
Peace and comfort to you. Aunt Phyllis was a dynamic lady! Always with a flash of a smile and a hearty laugh. I am sure she is making others laugh still! And I’m sure she is surrounded by many dogs!
Love from Jane and Tim
Susan Ricchio says
I am so sorry about the passing of your Mother! I loved her. We went to Alverno College together and worked at SCJ. We had so much fun together! You have my deepest sympathies!!
Pat Nielsen says
I knew Phyllis from my days as an SCJ “temp” so long ago. She was out-going, funny and had a lot of energy! I attended a little gathering at her home and I marveled at her walkway of beautiful petunias which she was so proud of and were the “best of the neighborhood”!
My condolences to her family.
Beth McDonnell says
Your mom was a very special friend . We shared a lot of St Patrick Days laughing and having lots of fun! I can still hear her infectious laughter and see that beautiful smile. Please find comfort in knowing that she has joined all the other angels and is once again healthy and happy.
Faye Becker says
Over the years we worked together numerous times while she was shepherding her international “children” through the process of finding a rental home or occasionally a home to purchase. We had many a conversation which veered from real estate to family and life. All the glowing things said in the obituary are certainly true and then some. She was a remarkable woman who I feel privileged to have known. Celebrate her remarkable life .
Shirley Crocco says
I remember her beautiful voice and smile. I will pray for her soul as I did in her life as I will do, now that she has passed on to the next.