Obituary of Mary Theresa Harkness

Mary Theresa Harkness, of Lake Havasu City, passed away on October 4, 2017. She was born on November 26, 1928 in Trenton, NJ to her parents, Thomas and Mary Smith. She was 88 years of age. As a child, Mary grew up in Trenton and attended Cathedral High School in Trenton, NJ. Mary worked retail all throughout high school in downtown Trenton and eventually became a proud owner of her very own gift shop. She met George and married July 12, 1947, in Trenton, NJ. They moved to Lawrence Township, NJ in 1956. In 1977, they moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where they resided ever since. Mary enjoyed reading, watching Gene Kelly movies, musicals, and "Dancing With The Stars". She loved animals, especially her beloved Lab "Saddie" and her "grandkitties"; Luke, Aladdin, and Zoey. Her most precious enjoyment in life was her family; her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren as well as her brothers and sisters. Mary also loved hearing about the family genealogy through her daughter's research and the Family Tree done on Ancestry. She's always been proud of her Irish heritage. She even had her DNA tested when she was 83 years of age by the recommendation of her daughter. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Havasu City and a previous member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Lawrence Township, NJ. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother who lived life to the fullest. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, George Harkness; parents, Thomas and Mary Smith; infant daughter, Gail Theresa Harkness; siblings, Ann Yenchik, Natalie Capik, Jean Harkness, Nelson Smith, Thomas Smith, and Jack Smith. She is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Dolores) Harkness and Gregory Harkness; daughter, Georgette (Bill) Kucich; grandchildren, Jennifer (Joe) Volpe, Brian (Becky) Harkness and Jeffrey Harkness; great-grandchildren, Emma and Ethan, as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be October 17, 2017 at Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home at 4:00pm, with Rosary at 5:00pm. Funeral services will be October 18, 2017 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church at 1:00pm. A Burial service will be at Princeton Memorial Park in Robbinsville, NJ at a later date. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-fraze Funeral Home. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com