Mary Anna (Sumners) Harris

Mary Anna (Sumners) Harris, 87, of Leelanau County passed away peacefully on August 1st, 2026 at home, surrounded by loved ones. 

Mary was born on Sept 29, 1938 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Marquette Michigan. She was the 1st born child of John Joseph Sumners, and Dorothy Anna (Ladensack) Sumners. She had one sister and two brothers, Katherine (Sumners) McKinnon and John Sumners & Thomas Sumners. 

She married James (Jim) R. Harris in St. Jude Church, Detroit in 1963. She had four children with Jim: Teresa Ann (Harris) Woods, James Reginald Harris Jr., Nicole Janet (Harris) Hulet, and Guy David Harris. 

Her husband, children, and grandchildren were very special to her. She is survived by Teresa Woods, James Harris Jr, Nicole Hulet, son-in-law's Jack Woods, Jason Hulet and Matt Drew, daughter-in-law's Sandra (Harris) Linden and Lisa (Harris) Drew, grandchildren, Guy Patrick (Alexandra Walker) Woods & Charles (Chip) Woods, Caitlin (Woods) Tracy, Manon Harris, Ashley (Robert Mothersell) Hulet & Emily Hulet, Cassie Harris and Courtney & Clare Drew, and her great grand children, Liam Tracy & Juniper Woods.

Mary was the first in her family to graduate from college. After St. Ambrose High School in Grosse Pointe Park, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Michigan State University. She taught school in East Lansing, until she moved to California with her husband and two children. Shortly after their time in California, they packed up and moved to Northern Michigan where they built their forever home on Sugar Loaf Old Golf Course. In Leelanau County they grew their family with two more children. Mary taught in various schools; Leland, Glen Lake and Traverse City St. Francis. She participated in various Leelanau County groups to support the community. To fuel her entrepreneurial spirit, she also opened a gift shop in Glen Arbor called The Bear Den.

Mary loved her community and enjoyed her trips to many Leelanau County Favorites: Leland Mercantile for her meat and fish, NJ’s for her Thai food & mango smoothies, Buntings for her cheese-dogs and chocolate ice cream, and Cedar Tavern for Taco Tuesday. Shopping with her dear friend Barbara Bardenhagen at her favorite Northport gift shop, The Pennington Collection, to talk with Sarah and buy the best gifts for all her grandchildren. She cherished fond memories of dining with her late husband at Knot Just a Bar, where she always enjoyed a bowl of chowder and their famous Fish in a Cone dinner. She also loved the lively musical jam sessions with Johnny and Joanie Rutherford and their beautiful musical family.

Mary was sweet, caring and confident with a heart full of love. She was always curious, very intrigued with politics, genuinely interested in everyone and loved everything unique & different. She will be deeply missed by all. However, she is now reunited with her late husband, Jim, dancing the Midwest Sosh at a big party in Heaven. There, she is sharing big hugs with her parents, sister, and many dear friends. Most of all, her sweet and loving son, Guy David, is greeting her with open arms and a big smile.

Her children will be planning a Celebration of Life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to The Leland Township Library. Checks to: Leland Township Library, 203 Cedar St. E, Leland, MI 49654. In Memory of Mary Anna Harris.