Eleanor Jacqueline Croston Harrison, 83, child of God, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, has completed her earthly chores and gone to her heavenly home.
Jackie went home to her Lord on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at home surrounded by the family she loved so well.
“Jackie” was born September 19, 1934, in Morgantown, to the late Helen (McGee) and Guy Croston. She began piano lessons at age 5, later expanding to band instruments and performing in the Morgantown Junior High, Morgantown High and WVU bands, as well as WVU Orchestra. She earned a Master’s degree in Music, and while attending the music school she studied the organ and met the love of her life H. Summers Harrison.
She married Summers in October 1955. She taught music in the public schools in Richmond, Va., while Summers completed his medical training to become a pediatrician. Jackie and Summers spent 10 years in the military, including three years in Augsburg Germany, before settling in Morgantown with their three children, Jeannine Louise Howell, David Summers, and Laura Suzanne and husband James C. Shiver.
Jackie served in the music ministry of several area churches, working with choirs and playing the organ. At age 43 she added to her education, receiving certification in history and geography. She traveled extensively to Ireland, Egypt, Israel and Greece. She continued her love of music, and she learned to play the harp at age 50.
One of her great joys in her later years was teaching the Sunday School class at Suncrest United Methodist Church where she also was the church organist for over 18 years. Her approach to life was best summed up as quoted in The Pulse of the Parish, “There is beauty in silence and darkness, and whatever condition I find myself in, I am content.”
The Harrison family wants to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Tammy Cottrell and Barbara Cole, as well as the nurses at Morgantown Hospice and the staff at Mon Health Medical Center, who took such loving care of Jackie in her final years.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. H. Summers Harrison; three children; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Suncrest United Methodist Church from 4- 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, and from 3 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, with funeral service to follow with Pastor Michael Estep officiating. Cremation services will follow.
Hastings Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Morgantown Hospice 3596 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Condolences: hastingsfuneralhome.com.
