Louise H (Leahy) WALKER HARRISON

WALKER HARRISON LOUISE LEAHY WALKER HARRISON Louise Leahy Walker Harrison, wife of Richard C. Harrison and the late John C, Walker III, died peacefully at home on November 25, 2011. She was born in Washington D.C. December 14, 1928, daughter of Admiral William H. Leahy and Elizabeth Marbury Beale, Granddaughter of Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy, who served as Chief of Staff to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman throughout WWII and his wife Louise Harrington and her maternal grandparents, Dr. Robert Beale and wife Sophie Stuart. Louise attended the National Cathedral School for Girls, Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and George Washington University. Later she returned to Mount Vernon College to pursue a degree in Interior Design. Louise was the principal designer for her first husband's building company, which built homes in Montgomery County for 50 years. Forming her own company in 1984, she worked with a number of clients, including the Audubon Naturalist Society's Woodend Mansion where she had once played as a child. She was a member of the Chevy Chase Club, Junior League of Washington, Planned Parenthood, The National Cathedral Association, Rehoboth Art League and the Audubon Naturalist Society. Memorable childhood moments include a stay in Puerto Rico with her grandfather, Admiral Leahy, who was the appointed Governor at the time, visits to the White House for tea with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and christening the USS Turner in 1945. In later years she enjoyed family time in Rehoboth Beach with her husband Richard Harrison, a musician and author. Louise and Richard were faithful participants in the Piping Out, the annual ride on the Jolly Trolley, during which Mr. Harrison played saxophone along side the infamous Sammy Ferro, and Louise accompanied on the kazoo. Louise enjoyed painting and often exhibited her work at the Rehoboth Art League. Together Louise and Richard travelled to Maine and France to participate in painting workshops. At home in Chevy Chase, Louise was happiest listening to Richard play the piano, watching the birds in her garden, and entertaining friends and family who wandered by for a visit. She is survived by her husband Richard C. Harrison, her brother Robert Beale Leahy, her children, Elizabeth Walker Lamond, Louise Rose (Henry), Margaret Walker Matthews (James), Jennifer Walker (Mike Kitchens), John C. Walker IV (Lucy), William L. Walker (Helene) and Susan Gilday (Mark) as well as twenty grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Service for Louise Leahy Walker Harrison will be held at the All Saints Episcopal Church, 3 Chevy Chase Circle on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to The Washington National Cathedral Preservation Fund, Attn: Development Office, 3101 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016-5098 - Memo: Louise L. Harrison.

Published in The Washington Post from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13, 2011

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