Obituaries
MARY (JOSIE) HARRISON
MARY (JOSIE) HARRISON
(NÉE VAN DUSEN)
Sadly, we have lost one of Wellington’s own. Josie passed peacefully while in the gracious care of West Lake Terrace on Friday, December 9, 2022. Hailing from a long-line of United Empire Loyalists (see Old Hay Bay church), Josie was raised in the house next to the Wellington post office with her 8 siblings.
The daughter of Malcolm Leo Van Dusen (see Oliver Mowat) and Mary Kellogg, Josie joined her brother Peter’s family in London, Ontario after Wellington Consolidated School. This is where she met and married Eric Harrison and raised her family while working for Northern Telecom. Upon retirement, she returned to Wellington and volunteered for the Girl Guides and the Wellington Historical Society while also attending to the pets and homes of some of our local snowbirds.
Josie leaves behind her youngest brother Edward (Ottawa), her children Karen Smith (St. Thomas) and granddaughter Alexis (Toronto), Corinne Harrison and granddaughter Morgan (London), and son Chris Tilbury and grandsons Alex and Jason (Alberta). Josie’s fun-loving spirit was enjoyed by her many friends. She will be missed.
In keeping with Van Dusen observance, a memorial service will be held in May 2023 on what would have been her 90th birthday.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Wellington Legion in honour of her and her family’s military service, or to the Wellington St Andrew’s Anglican Church
To Corinne and family
My sincerest condolences on your loss . she led a very busy life and enjoyed her retirement Years in Wellington . She was always trying to please and be appreciated .
May she rest in peace . Owing to ill health back to last year We were unable to be there for her memorial .
edward van dusen
I was lucky to be able to reconnect with Josie through Corrine’s perserveance. She lived an interesting and full life and I am glad to have been able to connect with her. Thank you Corrine
Condolences Corinne to you and your loved ones. May memories help you through your time of grief and sorrow.