SCITUATE, Mass. – Lt. Col. Mary Eileen Harrison, U.S. Air Force Retired, 62, passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer Monday, June 24, 2013. She had recently returned to Scituate, Mass., after living in Limestone for almost 10 years.
Mary Eileen graduated from Notre Dame Academy, Hingham, Mass., in 1969 and was a 1973 graduate of St. Anselm’s College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. Mary Eileen joined the U.S. Air Force in 1974, where she served with distinction for more than 25 years as a commissioned officer and nurse, retiring in 1999 as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lt. Col. Harrison was a Vietnam era veteran, having served in a number of assignments in the Far East as well as multiple assignments across the United States. She also completed a tour of duty to Germany in support of Operation Desert Storm.
She was the devoted daughter of Joan (O’Neill) of Scituate, Mass., and the late John Harrison; loving fiancée of William Brahmstedt of Scituate, Mass.; and beloved sister of Marty Harrison and wife, Kathy, of Knob Noster, Mo., and John “Jay” Harrison and wife, Gayle, of Northborough, Mass. She is also survived by her adoring nieces, Jennifer, Megan Ritchie and husband, Jeremy, Elizabeth, Katherine, and Margaret; nephew, John III; great-nephew, Judah Ritchie; and great-niece, Aspen Ritchie.
A memorial Mass of Christian burial was held 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent St., Scituate, Mass. Burial with military honors were afterward at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Scituate, Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mary Eileen’s name to American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For information and online condolences visit www.richardsongaffeyfuneralhome.com.
Lt. Col. Mary Eileen Harrison
