Viola Harrison

Dr. Viola Harrison 1937 - 2024

The Harrison clan is sad to announce the loss of an amazing woman, Viola Harrison. We

also have the privilege of celebrating the life of Grammy, Mama-son, Mom and Dr. Viola

Harrison. Viola gifted all who were in her life with unwavering support and

unconditional love. And she had plenty to give. With each new member of our family,

she grew another branch of her tree of worry, unconditional support and love.

Viola Russell was born and raised in Medford, Oregon. She attended Lewis & Clark

College where she met her husband, Dr. Tom Harrison. Viola Harrison received her

masters degree in rhetoric , then her PhD in Feminist Linguistics from The fielding

Institute. In 1958, she drove the AlCan highway to Alaska in a pickup truck and camper

with her husband and three small children. Alaska would remain her home for the next

50 years. For a time, she was a teacher among Eskimo teachers in Kotzebue, Alaska.

Later, at the University of Alaska Anchorage, then Dr. Viola Harrison was a teacher

spreading knowledge, self-confidence and exploration of self. She continued her work

after retirement through volunteering in literature classes in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Viola was also an accomplished musician. She played viola in the Anchorage Symphony

Orchestra, Tucson Symphony Orchestra and Los Alamos Symphony

Her family in Alaska, Washington, and Colorado continue her tradition of cooking.

Around the kitchen we all show our love and connect because this is where Viola was a

master.

Viola was an intrepid adventurer! From small Eskimo villages above the arctic circle, to

the rugged coastline of Halibut Cove and Katchemak Bay, to Santa Fe and Tucson in the

southwest and finally coming to rest in Montrose, Colorado. Viola loved the outdoors

whether hiking, boating, picking blueberries, harvesting mussels or sitting around a fire

of driftwood on a beach. She has left a legacy of taking calculated risks, independence

of action and thought and appreciation of experiencing the present moment.

Viola, Mom, Grandma your love will live inside all of us for the rest of our days. Thank

you for being you and thank you for loving us.