Jeanne Marie Harper

Jeanne “Mimi” Marie Harper, 96, passed away peacefully in her sleep March 30, 2016, with her family by her side in Hurst Texas. Jeanne was born in Louisville, KY and was the 6th of 10 children of Carl and Marie Becker. Jeanne married Richard Harper in January 1940 and they built a successful aviation tool and die company that took them around the US, including Pacific Palisades, CA. Jeanne and Richard lived in Los Alamos, NM, in the mid-40s while Richard worked on the Manhattan Project and they once rode horses with Dr. and Mrs. Oppenheimer. She had a long career at Naval Ordnance and finished her working life with defense contractor OCEA in Louisville, KY. She devoted herself to her family after retirement and was a profound and positive influence in the lives of her daughter, grandchildren and their families. She was an extraordinary and formidable person that was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her only daughter, Michaele Ann Harper, her 4 grandchildren, Catherine Harper (Jim), Lisa Howard (Robert), Bud Harper and Laura Freeland (Steve),15 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held by the family.
In lieu of flowers and to recognize Jeanne’s passion for reading, learning and encouraging children, please consider a donation to ReachOutandRead.org in her memory.