Jane Kurosaka Harris, 55, of Annapolis, died Oct. 20 at her home after a lengthy illness.

The daughter of the late Tokuo and Aiko Kurosaka, Mrs. Harris was born in Tokyo, Japan, on June 15, 1951. Her family moved to the Washington, D.C., area when she was 6 years old, settling in McLean, Va. She was a competitive swimmer from age 10 through high school, winning ribbons and trophies in the Northern Virginia Swimming League. She graduated from McLean High School in 1969.

She worked at Nordstrom's Expresso Bar for a number of years.

While she lived in California, Virginia and North Caroline as an adult, she especially enjoyed living in Annapolis. She loved boating, crabbing and fishing and was known for making soft shell crab sandwiches. She also had a "green thumb," with flourishing plants.

Known as a "can do" person with remarkable energy and inquisitive mind, she also was very mechanical and could fix almost anything. She could quickly assemble complicated jigsaw puzzles. Mrs. Harris also was known for her open-heartedness for individuals and orphaned animals.

Surviving are her sons, Art and Thomas Harris of Annapolis and Pete Thomas of Raleigh, N.C.; one grandson; her siblings, JoAnn Vander Horck of Long Beach, Calif., Lillian Kurosaka of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Henry Kurosaka of Falls Church, Va.; and several nieces.

Visitation begins at 6 tonight with an informal service at 7 at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Mid-Atlantic Division, 1041 Route 3 North, Building A, Gambrills MD 21054, or to a favorite charity.

As published on 10/25/2006 in The Capital Newspaper.