Marilyn Harris (DeeDee)

Marilyn “Dee Dee” Harris, 91, passed away on September 19, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, surrounded by loving family.

Dee Dee lived a full and remarkable life, defined by family, friendship, generosity, determination, and an unmistakable enthusiasm for the people and things she loved.

Dee Dee and her husband, Richard “Dick" Harris, raised four children. She was a loving mother, devoted grandmother to six, and proud great-grandmother to three. She taught her family by example the importance of kindness, acceptance, hard work, generosity, and giving back.

Giving back was an important part of Dee Dee’s life. She was repeatedly a top fundraiser for the Minnesota AIDS Walk, a cause she passionately championed. She served as president of her local United Way, served on the Guthrie Theater Board and was a past president of the National Council of Jewish Women, where she helped lead a local annual fundraiser, “The Country Store.” When Dee Dee cared about something she committed fully, giving it positive, productive energy.

She brought that same determination to athletics. Dee Dee was a talented athlete—a strong tennis player, an excellent snow skier, an excellent bowler, and was a fiercely competitive golfer. She was the women’s golf club champion at both Oak Ridge and Somerset Country Clubs and made two holes-in-one. Her competitive streak carried over to the card table, where she became a Grand Master bridge player and an accomplished mahjong player. Dee Dee enjoyed playing, but anyone who knew her knew she especially enjoyed winning

She also had a lifelong love of shopping—she was very good at it. Dee Dee turned that passion into a career with Dayton’s and then Macy’s, working in the FYI personal shopping department for more than 30 years, where she put her eye for style and her knack for finding just the right thing to work.

Dee Dee loved good food and was always willing to try something interesting. She was a wonderful cook and hostess, known among family and friends for her cheese dreams, matzo balls, chopped liver, and homemade dill pickles. She also co-authored a cookbook with a group of friends, preserving favorite recipes for their families and future generations. She was also the friend who discovered the new restaurant in her town and organized friends to try the next trendy hot spot! In her last 18 months while living in a skilled nursing home in Fort Lauderdale, her family was able to continue her passion of discovering good eats, in her wheelchair she was able to roll in and dine out more than 50 times.

Friendship was a constant throughout her life. Dee Dee had an extraordinary ability to make and keep friends. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, she later made Naples, Florida, her home for 25 years, adding many new friendships to a circle that stretched across decades and across the country.

She loved to travel and took great pleasure in her garden, especially her roses and tomatoes. Whether she was traveling, golfing, shopping, cooking, gardening, playing cards, or simply spending time with family and friends, Dee Dee brought energy and enthusiasm to life.

Dee Dee was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years Richard “Dick” Harris; her sister, Nancy; and her parents, Willard and Esther Finberg.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Wendy and James, Richie and Jack, Dan and Ann, and Todd and Laura; her six grandchildren, Charlie, Bryn, Sam(Kacie), Sydney, Eli, and Julien; and her three great-grandchildren—a family she loved deeply and of whom she was enormously proud.

Dee Dee leaves behind lifelong friendships, countless stories and memories, a legacy of generosity and service, and generations of family who will carry her values forward. She lived life with energy, determination, humor, and a wonderful competitive spirit. She will be deeply missed.

Memorials preferred to the Breast Cancer Education Association (BCEA), Mount Zion Temple or donor's choice. Direct links below.

Private graveside service.