Obituary of Heather Lynn Harris

Entering the world as a ray of spring sunshine on May 5, 1970, Heather Lynn Harris, the cherished daughter of the late Neal and Lilia Huguley, beloved wife of Dr. Elmer Harris Jr., and much-loved mother of Kendra Joy Harris, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 16, 2023. 

An active dancer, cheerleader, and community advocate, Heather graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1987 from Wilkinsburg High School in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At Pennsylvania State University, she graduated with a bachelor's of science in biology, determined to work in the health professions in order to help people. She found the answer to her calling by becoming a physical therapist, graduating with an MPT in physical therapy from Temple University in 1996. She began her physical therapy career in Baltimore, Maryland, and then, upon her marriage in 1997, moved to Mildenhall Air Base, England, adjusting her skills to the British National Health System by becoming a fully licensed physiotherapist. During her time in England, Heather faithfully served at Lighthouse Christian Faith Centre as an usher and eventually worked to establish the church’s first dance ministry.  

When she returned to the United States with her husband and baby daughter, she served the Omaha, Nebraska community before finally settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado where, as part of her daily prayers, loved to marvel at the beauty of the Rocky Mountains from her bedroom window. In Colorado Springs, she worked as an itinerant physical therapist and therapy manager with Team Select Home Care and Select Rehabilitation before retiring in 2017. She was a devoted, loyal and faithful member of Church For All Nations, where she sang as part of the worship team, worked in the food bank, and assisted with the church treasury. Very often, when pastors were away, Heather was called up on to lead worship, which she always did with her sunshine way, with an open and joyful heart. 

Her life philosophy of focusing on listening to the body’s needs without relying on excessive outside intervention became part of her everyday life, by moving and eating healthfully and making sure that her faith kept her fully grounded. Even when ill, she still sought to treat herself in natural ways. Neighbors in her Cimarron Hills neighborhood recalled how she would love to take long walks in the outdoors, never hesitating to wave a friendly hand as well as beckon to them to come join her in her pursuit of health. A lover of everything green, she would create food-stylist perfect salads and vegetables, but was not entirely opposed to treating herself with her favorite Swedish Fish candy, or having boxes of her favorite Utz Dark Splits pretzels shipped to her from her home state of Pennsylvania. 

Heather leaves behind her husband; daughter; sister, Dr. Piper Huguley Riggins; brother-in-law, Marcus Riggins; nephew, Xavier Riggins; uncles, Johnnie (Jean) Comer, and Curtis Huguley; and aunt, Sherida Dudley; along with a host of cousins, friends and patients. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Lupus Foundation of America, https://www.lupus.org/, or to the Springs Rescue Mission, https://www.springsrescuemission.org/

Funeral Service, 11:00AM, Saturday, March 4, 2023, Church For All Nations, 6540 Templeton Gap Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923.