For Karen Harris, Joy of Reading Was a Communal Bond

Molly Coogan Monday, September 26 2016 - 2:37pm

The Island recently lost a familiar face and we already miss her terribly. Karen Harris washed ashore decades ago and found a place for herself among many communities throughout the years.

The Island recently lost a familiar face and we already miss her terribly.

Karen Harris washed ashore decades ago and found a place for herself among many communities throughout the years. She was a constant presence in the barns and at the horse shows when her daughter, Kate, was growing up in West Tisbury. She spent years in the West Tisbury School and as a Sunday school teacher at the Congregational Church in that town. Karen took great pleasure in her role there, and spoke especially fondly of the Christmas pageants that she helped organize.

The connections she felt to the children of the Island were something that she held close to her heart; she was truly happy to hear of students and friends successes and, as the years went by, the successes of their sons and daughters. She relished her time at the Menemsha Texaco, too, where she could collect and share all the news and gossip of that up-Island outpost.

Most recently, however, Karen was well known as a longtime bookseller at Bunch of Grapes. She had a tremendous knack for matching books to readers, and her recommendations were trusted and sought by residents and visitors alike. Karen was rightfully proud of this talent, and nothing delighted her more than talking with other readers about books. She could spend the whole day telling stories, bringing characters to life. In this way, she was herself a reliable and comforting character in the story of this Island.

Her presence on Main street and in the bookstore was a meaningful addition to the fabric of the community, and her absence is a true loss. We have felt this particularly keenly as our customers and friends have stopped by to express their shock and sadness, and we’ve taken comfort in these shared moments of grief and appreciation.

We wish to thank everyone who has stopped by to talk about and remember our friend Karen, and we encourage those who knew her to share their memories of her in a guest book we have at the front desk that we plan to give to her daughter.

As Karen would say: “Go forth and read.”

Molly Coogan is the store manager and event coordinator at the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore.

Comments

You captured Karen

Lynne whiting WT

You captured Karen beautifully.
She not only knew all of us & our children, but the new crop of grandkids as well. May her reading light shine on!

Thank you Molly for a

Marge Harris Oak Bluffs

Thank you Molly for a wonderful piece on Karen. I have known Karen for years and had the pleasure of teaching her daughter Kate at the high school. Karen and I often shared stories when I would drop in to the BOG. What a pleasure to see her at the register so we could continue our ongoing brief chats. She was often very busy but never ever ignored a customer, including me, who may have a question or need a good book recommendation. Karen is already sorely missed because she truly was such a part of the bookstore and of our island family.

Every summer my children and

JoAnne Riseborough Chilmark

Every summer my children and I would look forward to waiting to buy our summer reading books on Island from Karen. She was always so knowledgeable and helpful. We will certainly miss her kind face.

I was so sorry to hear of

Lynn Van Auken Oak Bluffs

I was so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. She was invariably welcoming, helpful, and kind in the bookstore, whether I was shopping for myself, for gifts, or for the Oak Bluffs School. And she always asked about my children even though she didn't know them personally. Come to find out, Eva often served Karen her favorite Tisberry treat: original tart with blueberries and pecans! We will miss her dearly.

Thank you for this! Being

Andy

Thank you for this! Being stuck out in California, I hadn't seen my aunt Karen (not ant!) and her great laugh for too long. Good to hear she was such a cheer to so many others.

Beyond a love of books, Karen

Mollie Doyle Chilmark

Beyond a love of books, Karen and I shared a birthday. Not just a reader's reader, she knew the heart and souls of so many -- a reader of people too -- and she would always find us the perfect read. She will be dearly missed.

Karen could match more than

Bill MacKenty Warsaw, Poland

Karen could match more than people and books. She also matched my wife and I together! She had a mischievous smile, really listened to you, and had a sincere, good way about her. I will miss her greatly and remember her fondly.

Read and talk and listen and

Mary Sebastopol, CA

Read and talk and listen and accept and understand and read some more. My sister was non judgmental and believed in the best of everybody. She was interested in everyone and made me feel better every time I talked to her. I hope I learned something from her. We have some matching DNA and if I can channel that Karen-ness, maybe I will be able to read 5 books in her honor over the next month or two. Thank you, my dear sister!

I loved Karen! She was a

Sara Carter MV

I loved Karen! She was a teachers Aide and Sub at WT school when I went there years ago. She even chaperoned us on class trips- to NYC. A good soul! She will be missed!

My summers working with Karen

Aron WT

My summers working with Karen at the old Bunch of Grapes were some of the happiest of my life. Even on the stinkiest days dealing with silly tourists, a wry smile and a wink from Karen was enough to lift my spirits.

The Vineyard is a sadder place with her.

Karen Harris, who died on Sept. 18, was a familiar and friendly face behind the counter at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore.