Carolyn Elizabeth Cole Harris - Obituary

oving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and gracious friend and acquaintance to all who knew or worked with her. Born in Washington, DC, Carolyn grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, attending all public schools through high school, graduating from Northwood High School in 1963. From there she attended Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia. She also graduated from Strayer Business School in 1965. She began working in the Washington, DC zone office of Oldsmobile Division of General Motors. From 1967 to 1971 she worked in the Washington zone office of Pontiac Division of General Motors. In 1971 she began her life as a stay-at-home mom in the Pointer Ridge section of Bowie, MD. In 1974 the family moved to Bay Ridge in Annapolis, MD, where they lived for 32 years. Carolyn traveled with her husband extensively around the United States, visiting all 50 states over many years, and throughout Europe several times, including her ancestors' home in Portlethen, Scotland. She enjoyed over 25 ocean cruises in the Atlantic and Pacific. Carolyn loved to crochet baby blankets with matching caps. She made many for her grandchildren and contributed hundreds to Anne Arundel Medical Center, The Light House Homeless Shelter in Annapolis, and The Women's Center in Vero Beach, FL (always anonymously), in addition to friends and family members. She would even make full-size blankets for a homeless person she would see sitting along a road in Annapolis. Carolyn also really loved being in her beach chair on the beaches in Rehoboth, DE, Ocean City, MD, and Vero Beach, FL. She would spend hours in the sun, mostly without the shade of an umbrella. In addition to and during a very busy real estate career, Carolyn volunteered as a Sunday School teacher at Saint Anne's Episcopal Church in Annapolis, The Estate Treasures Thrift Shop (to benefit Hospice) on Kent Island, Chrysalis House in Crownsville, Planned Parenthood in Arnold, and St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop in Vero Beach, FL. In 1980 Carolyn embarked on a successful career in real estate with Merrill Lynch/Chris Coile, then Champion Realty Inc. in 1987. In addition to actively listing and selling residential properties, she achieved many honors and designations: National Designations: Graduate of Realtors Institute; Certified Residential Specialist; Certified Residential Broker. Maryland Designations: Associate Broker - Champion Realty Inc.; Realtor of the Year - Anne Arundel County, 1993; Sales Associate of the Year - Anne Arundel County, 1997. Anne Arundel County Association of Realtors: Treasurer, 1997-98; Director, 1996-97; Professional Standards Chair, 1994-96; Distinguished Sales Club President, 1992-94; Forms Committee Chair, 1996-99; Orientation Instructor, 1995-97; Continuing Education Instructor, 1994-2001. Maryland Association of Realtors: Professional Standards Instructor, 1995-2001; Statewide Contract Committee, 1996-99; Mediator - Trained by Pepperdine University, 1996-2001. Carolyn is survived by her husband of 61 years, John Philip Harris of Annapolis, her daughters, Pam Elizabeth Sladek and husband Matthew Edward Sladek of Alexandria, VA, and Megan Cole Harris Koppe and her husband Robert Anthony Koppe of Millersville, MD; and the special loves of her life, six beautiful grandchildren: Alec Thomas Burke, Samantha Anne Koppe, Benjamin Robert Koppe, Lincoln Cole Sladek, Waylon Roberts Sladek, and Reagan John Sladek. Also her sisters Margaret Ritchie Cole Imms and Mary Elizabeth Cole Welsh, and brother Bradford Dean Cole, Jr. Carolyn was a loving, beautiful woman, and she will truly be missed by us all. Pray for her and pray for her soul! Services for Carolyn will be private. Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.