Jody Harris

Jody Paulette Harris passed away on October 24, 2014 at age 49 after a brief illness. She was born in Battle Creek on December 23, 1964, the daughter of Robert Lewis and Nancy Hettinga. She graduated from River Valley High School in Three Oaks in 1983 and went on to study at Western Michigan University and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, where she was taking classes up to the time of her death. She married Laurence Harris of Kalamazoo on June 9, 1997, after seven years together. She was an avid traveler, a craftsperson, an amazing cook, and artist who exhibited her works around Michigan and in Chicago. She worked at a number of local restaurants and was employed at Bistro 120 in Paw Paw at the time of her death. She is survived by husband, Laurence Harris; mother, Nancy Hettinga of New Buffalo and father, Robert Lewis of South Carolina; stepfather, David Hettinga of Florida; siblings, Bob Lewis of Kalamazoo, Wendi (Robert) Nahikian of Kalamazoo and Steve Hettinga of Sault Ste. Marie. She also is survived by numerous aunts and uncles, nephews and nieces: Justin Nahikian, Justice Hill, Reed Nahikian, Alexandra Lewis, Rachel Harris, Leah Harris, Lauren Harris and Arielle Harris. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Pauline Rivers of Marshall. A memorial service celebrating Jody's life and the love her family and friends feel for her will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. on Wednesday, October 29 at 3:00 p.m. Friends may visit with the family starting at 2 p.m. Following the service, family and friends will be gathering at the Clubhouse at Villa's of Stonehenge, 2500 Bluestone Circle, Kalamazoo. The entrance is off 9th Street. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts or to the charity of your choice.