Barbara Rose (Moore) Harris' Obituary
Barbara Rose (Moore) Harris, a Syracuse, N.Y., native and lifelong city resident, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 28, 2024. She was 72.
Barb was a devoted mother, wife and friend who exuded kindness and thoughtfulness. She always thought of others, and she and her husband of nearly 50 years, Wayne, provided an open and welcoming home for their family, friends and children’s friends. Barb loved her people, and they loved her equally in return.
The soundtrack to Barb’s life would include songs from Genesis (she preferred Phil Collins over Peter Gabriel as lead singer), U2 and The Doobie Brothers, to name a few. She saw all three of those bands live, most recently the Doobies with her daughter, Kym, and son, Doug, and attended other concerts, too. Music was a constant for Barb; rarely would you not hear the radio playing in the kitchen or living room. She even took a radio to bed and tucked it under her pillow most nights, although she usually drifted off to sports talk shows. Apart from despising the Dallas Cowboys, Barb was a mostly casual but extremely knowledgeable fan who enjoyed watching and talking about sports.
Barb worked in a clerical position with the city’s Division of Code Enforcement for 25 years before retiring in the mid-2010s. She was also the chief homemaker – and much more. Barb was an amazing cook who could make some mean pierogies, among other scratch-made dishes. And she never met a home improvement project she wouldn’t tackle. Whether it was refreshing the décor, creating her own ornate table centerpieces, repainting rooms, hanging trim, border and wallpaper, or even stripping wood floors and walls to refinish them, she did it with detail, diligence and care, adding personal touches throughout.
Although reserved, Barb was understatedly funny and quick-witted. She loved to talk to and catch up with her family, friends, children and children’s friends, and some of her quips were met with a surprised “Mom!” from Kym and Doug. Her smile, laugh and warmth were infectious, and she will be missed immeasurably by so, so many.
Barb is survived by her daughter, Kym Harris; son, Doug Harris; grandson, Connor Harris, whom she adored; several relatives; and countless friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Wayne Harris; father, Joseph Moore; mother, Mary Glosek; sister, Kathy (Moore) Young; several relatives; and Jackson, her lap buddy Jack Russell terrier who stole her chair almost every time she vacated it.
There will be no calling hours, and services are private. Barb’s family would like to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers, and Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home for their assistance.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
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Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
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