Shirley May Harris

Shirley May Harris, age 93, former resident of Mountain Home, ID and current resident of Boise ID, passed away at home September 24, 2026, after a brief battle with an illness. She was held in love by her family near and far throughout her time at the hospital and at home.

Shirley was born January 10, 1933 in Boise, Idaho to John L Green and Louise Vesta (Stickels) Green. She was the oldest of three children, with her siblings Carol and Eugene to follow. She spent her youth in the mountains of Idaho, living through 5th grade in Atlanta then spending time in Boise, Cambridge, Midvale and ultimately residing in Mountain Home. She tells stories of those early years in Atlanta, including getting her appendix out on the kitchen table and a harrowing experience of near death when she sledded into a large ball of ice along the road and spent a day or so in a feverish sleep, where her mother thought she would die there in their little house.

After traveling and living in several towns throughout southern Idaho, her family eventually settled in Mountain Home for her later school years. While attending Mountain Home High School she met and fell in love with Alton R Harris. They courted through their high school years and while Alton went to Moscow for his freshman year of college. After she graduated from High school they were married on July 27, 1952, and moved to Moscow to finish out college. They relished their time in Moscow with dear friends Jerry and Phyllis Evans, enjoying fraternity dances and apartment life. While in Moscow they happily welcomed their first child, Michael R Harris, and when Alton graduated from school in the ROTC program, were then stationed at San Angelo (Hondo), Texas for several years, until they were stationed in Mountain Home. After returning to Idaho, they were excited to welcome their second son Allan W Harris, and when Alton left the Air Force, they made their permanent residence in Mountain Home.

While raising children in these early years, Shirley ran the household while Alton worked in the family businesses of Harris Department Store and Harris Truck and Implement. She later went to work for Dr. John Bideganeta, DDS running his office like a well-oiled machine. During her time at the dental office, they were Surprised and thrilled to learn of the impending arrival of their third child, Deborah L Harris (Banner). Shirley left the dental office at this time and stayed home with Debbie for most of her elementary years.

Shirley then went back to work at the City of Mountain Home in the City Engineering and Building Services departments. She worked here through the remainder of her working career and served on the Planning and Zoning board for several years as well. She retired in the early 90’s and went to work helping to establish the new Harris Chrysler and Implement business.

Shirley and Alton had built a family cabin in the early 60’s and they spent so much time in Featherville, Idaho, picking huckleberries, fishing and hiking, and entertaining with their neighbors the Hicks’, Glasbys, Kennedys and Howells. Shirley enjoyed having friends and family at the cabin for a good game of pinochle or bridge, many times playing on the porch during a rainy day. Her hummingbirds were her favorite and she spent lots of time feeding the squirrels and happy jacks and watching the deer at the salt lick. Going woodcutting with the Englehorn family always provided a wonderful day outside with stories to tell.

She was also a prolific artist and spent much of her free time taking art classes and painting in their home. She preferred acrylic painting but also dabbled in oils, watercolors and pastels. She painted some of the most beautiful landscapes of Idaho scenery, along with still life florals and a variety of Native American portraits. Decoupage was also a favorite hobby for a time, using pictures of wild ducks and other forest animals.

Shirley was also a 50-year member of the P.E.O. sorority Chapter W in Mountain Home ID. She served in several officer positions and often hosted meetings at her home. Spending time with these ladies and helping achieve their philanthropic goals was something she was always proud to be a part of.

After Alton passed in 2003, Shirley continued living in Mountain Home until she decided to move to Boise and start a new chapter in her smaller patio home. She lived in this home until 2022, when she decided to relocate to the Morningstar community. Here she made many friends that kept her energized and thriving. She enjoyed exercise class, painting again, and many shopping and activity trips with her special group of friends.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Alton R. Harris, her parents, John L and Louise Vesta (Stickels) Green, and her sister, Carol (Green) O’Neil Balder. She leaves her legacy to carry on in her three children, Michael (Myrna) Harris of Boise, Allan (Joni) Harris of Featherville, and Deborah (Scott) Banner of Boise. She leaves in love 12 grandchildren, Charla (DJ) Mahler, Amy Ney-King, Kim (Anthonie) Banuchi, Becky (Dan) Kienitz, Chris (Spring) Harris, Jason (Jessica) Harris, Mindy (Juan) Nunez, John Hamman, Baylee (Cody) Kline, Ben Freeman, Megan Banner, and Aidan Banner. Her legacy of love also includes 26 great grandchildren and 20 great, great grandchildren. Many special family members also remain to cherish her memory, including her brother, Gene Green of Arizona; her sister-in-law, Ramona Yrazabal of Mountain Home; her late husband’s brother, David Harris, and his wife, Rita, of Mountain Home; her late husband’s sister, Jacque Bloom, and her husband, Kenny, of Ohio; her sister-in-law, Rita Harris, of Portland; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Her father once wrote in her autograph book as a child, “Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.” And that’s just what she did.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the First Congregational Church, 515 E. 15th N. St. in Mountain Home, with visitation at the church beginning at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

The family would like to thank her nurses and doctors on the 4th floor telemetry unit at St. Luke’s Medical Center Meridian, White Oak Hospice and A Better Solution caregivers for their loving and caring touch with Shirley during her illness.

Memorial contributions can be made to the South Fork Boise River (Pine-Featherville) Senior Center, of which she and Alton were founding members. 350 N Pine-Featherville Rd. Pine ID 83647 ph.208-653-2595

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.