Michelle Harris, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter, passed away at home in Broadlands, Virginia, with her husband and daughters at her side, on December 22, 2024.

Michelle, stunningly beautiful in every way, lived life joyously. Her smile and eyes actually sparkled. Her effervescent exuberance and enthusiasm for almost everything were magnetic, and everyone who knew Michelle loved her. Her most favorite expression of love was to give gifts, and she devoted herself to putting others' needs before her own and making others happy. She readily put others at ease and made them feel good about themselves. She was stylish, perfectly attired on all occasions. Michelle shopped—frequently, abundantly, cheerfully. She laughed with friends and family who inundated her with invitations to meet, have lunch, go to happy hour. She filled her home with light, with flowers and laughter. She loved her family overwhelmingly and doted on her daughters, the lights of her life. Michelle looked forward to the annual task of selecting and planting just the right flowers, another nurturing role in which she took great pride. She spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren and welcomed the prospect of sitting down on the floor and playing with them. She cherished the sound of her granddaughter's belly laughs and the smile her months-old grandson revealed when he saw her face or heard her voice. She absolutely treasured Olivia's words when she told Michelle, "You are my best friend."

Michelle was born on August 30, 1963, in Denville, NJ. She is predeceased by her parents, Stephen Prideaux and Barbara Miller, and by her beloved stepfather, Frank A. Miller. Michelle is survived by her loving husband, Kent Harris, of Broadlands, VA; her daughters, Lauren, and her husband, Matthew Freix, of Broadlands, VA, and Lindsey, and her husband, Ray Augst, of Centreville, VA; by her grandchildren, Olivia Freix and Grayson Freix; by her brother, Scott Prideaux, and his wife, Janet, and daughter, Skyler, of Randolph, NJ.

Michelle retired from Fairfax County, Virginia, Public Schools on July 1, 2022, at the culmination of a highly successful thirty-year career teaching English at South Lakes High School in Reston, VA and at Chantilly High School, Chantilly, VA, primarily to twelfth-graders. Notably, as a teacher of Advanced Placement Literature and Composition she was selected by the College Board to grade nationally administered AP Examinations. Like everyone who encountered Michelle, her students adored her. She had the rare ability to imbue them with enthusiasm for the works she treasured, ancient Greek drama, Elizabethan poetry, and Romantic literature, and to convince students they could succeed in ways they themselves never thought possible.

Please join us for a Celebration of Michelle's Life on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176. Visitation will occur from 11am until noon, followed by tributes to Michelle given by family and friends from noon until 1pm.

To Michelle, who brightens the world, there are never enough sparkly things and flowers. The family therefore welcomes floral arrangements to honor Michelle at her Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers donations in Michelle's memory may be made to stjude.org to assist the battle against childhood cancer.

"Thy eternal summer shall not fade."

If you would like to send flowers, please use the link below.

http://jmorrisflowers.com