Marie Harris of Weston, MA died on May 29, 2026. She was a cherished step-mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend, and will be deeply missed.
Beloved wife of the late John U. Harris, Jr. and the late Wallace Shephardson, she leaves her step-children Laurinda Manthorne Beaudette and her husband John of Vero Beach, FL; Christina Graves and her husband Chester of Sandwich, MA; John Harris and his wife Susan of Bedford, MA; Dudley Harris and his wife Hope of Chester, NY; Deborah Hetherington and her husband Jason of Richmond, VA; seven nieces and nephews, their spouses and their children, and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren - all of whom she loved very much. She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Lorraine and James Mignola, and her dear dog Alfie.
The daughter of the late Theresa and Joseph Checki, Marie was born in Hackensack, NJ and raised in Lyndhurst, NJ. After graduation from Lyndhurst High School, she attended the Katherine Gibbs School in Montclair, NJ and the New York School of Interior Design. Working in advertising for over 30 years, she was Vice President, Account Group Supervisor at LKP International in New York City. Prior to that she was in Account Management at the Chirurg & Cairns advertising agency. One of her favorite accounts was Bonne Bell, the cosmetics company that sponsored the first 10K race for women in Boston (now the Tufts 10K) in which she ran. She ran in many other Bonne Bell 10Ks, as well as a half Marathon and the Cleveland Marathon.
After retiring from business, Marie took art classes at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA and at Castle Hill in Truro, MA and for several years had a studio at The Emerson Umbrella in Concord. A resident of Massachusetts since 1985, she was a member of the Women’s Community League and the Weston Golf Club where she enjoyed playing tennis and golf with her husband and friends. She served on the Board of the Friends of the Weston Public Library for six years and did volunteer work for Young Audiences of Massachusetts. Marie was also very fond of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at North River Home Care in Norwell, MA for their devotion to Marie since 2024 and the hospice team at Good Shepherd Community Care in Newton, MA.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St, (Rt.16) Wellesley on Thursday, June 4 from 9:30-10:30am followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Julia Catholic Church in Weston at 11:00am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Linwood Cemetery in Weston.
Contributions in Marie's memory may be made to a charity of your choice.