Nellie Jane Harrison
January 25, 1923 ~ April 30, 2021
Born in:
Pueblo, CO
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
NELLIE JANE HARRISON
January 25, 1923 – April 30, 2021
Nellie Jane Harrison, an icon in the fine jewelry business in Southern Colorado, passed away on April 30th, 2021 at the age of 98. She had been an assisted living resident at the Villa Senior Living Facility since 2019. She was a lifelong resident of Pueblo and was preceded in death by her husband Forrest Blaine Harrison in 1991 and many friends. She was the daughter of Sam (Bongiorno) Dase and Beatrice Meddings. Nellie is survived by her daughter Dr. Beatrice Harrison (James Miller) and grandchildren Nate Allen, Heather Allen (Mark Strbiak) and Michelle Miller Kearns. She is also survived by niece Nancy Hunyadi (Bryan Goff) and two great-granddaughters, Natasha Strbiak and Jada Kearns.
Nellie was well known as the always cheerful manager of several jewelry stores in the Pueblo region beginning in 1962. Those stores included Armstrong Jewelers, Harding Bullock Jewelers, Enos Fine Jewelry, and Golden Leaf Creations. Nellie was a graduate of the Gemological institute of America. She was a Licensed Retail Jeweler and Designer along with being a Certified Gemologist. Nellie first retired at the age of 75. She returned to the work she loved and retired for the final time at the age of 90. She was a member of Eastern Star.
Those who knew Nellie were in awe of her enthusiasm for and knowledge of gemstones along with contemporary fiction. Her home and her apartment at the Villa were filled with thousands of books many of which Nellie read several times. Her disappointment as she aged was not being able to spend hours browsing in local bookstores. A special thanks to the staff at the Villa Living Center and the care and concern shown her at Hospice House during the last week of her life suffering from heart issues. At Nellie’s request, she has been cremated. She asked that there be no funeral services. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, please consider a donation in Nellie’s name to the Joni Fair Hospice House at 1107 Pueblo Blvd. Way Pueblo, CO 81005, or the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region at 4600 Eagleridge Place, Pueblo, CO 81008. Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com
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alexander ‘sandy’ myers,esq—–west palm beach, fl—-i never had the direct pleasure of meeting nellie– but indirectly via bea i feel like your a close friend—all the stories bea has relayed to me about you makes me sad that i couldn’t get back to colorado to engage you in a ‘bookstore’ conversation
Nellie worked at my Dad’s store, Armstrong Jewelers, when I was growing up in the 60’s and 70’s. She always dressed to the nines and had a beautiful smile and cheery personality. She was a very sweet lady and I admired her. There were times when my Dad made her mad and as an apology he would buy her a box of chocolates to make amends. It was a wonderful time when she worked there and my whole family had tons of respect for her. She was a exceptional person! RIP Nellie! Prayers to her Loved Ones!
Thank you so much for your kind words about Nellie. She loved you and your family. She had so many funny stories to tell about things that happened. I asked her once if she liked working those ten + years at Armstrong’s– she said she loved every minute of it!
I will forever carry you in my heart. I miss you, Nellie. Rest in power.♥️🙏