Lisa Harris: Obituary

Lisa Harris, loving mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona; she was 87 years old. Lisa, an only child, was born in Vienna, Austria in 1932 to Hilda and Irwin Pollack. In October 1938, Lisa contracted Polio and was hospitalized. During her hospitalization on November 9, 1938, the Nazi’s invaded Vienna. Lisa and her parents escaped Austria and fled to France the following September. There she and her family lived until February 1940 when they were given permission to leave Europe as refugees. Lisa’s family took a ship to New York and then traveled by train to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they lived with her aunts. In 1944, the family moved to Hollywood, California. Only ten years later, Lisa met the love of her life, Joe Harris. Lisa and Joe were married in 1955. Lisa attended Los Angeles City College where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies. Lisa worked for 36 years as an LA County Family Services Social Worker and retired in Los Angeles.

Lisa and her husband Joe loved to travel and visited many countries throughout their marriage. After Joe’s passing in 1991, Lisa continued to travel with her close friends. Lisa’s favorite pastime was playing Panguingue (Pan, as the girls call it); she was always ready for a “hot” card game!

Lisa moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 2015 to be closer to her family. Lisa is survived by her daughter Marcia Barchus, son-in-law, John Barchus, her only grandchild, Justine Isbell and husband Jimmy Isbell.