Marion (Misty) Harrison (Nee Tyrrell) September 14, 2023 to February 27, 2024
Peacefully, after a full century of living, our incredible Nana Marion Harrison passed away in Dundas on February 27. Misty spent the first five years of her life in orphanages, before being adopted by Herbert and Jean Tyrrell of Toronto. Even at the very end of her life, Misty was still expressing gratitude to her late parents for choosing her and for providing her with such a wonderful home and family in which to grow up.

At a time when fewer women went to university, Misty attended the University of Toronto and earned a general arts degree. She was always extremely well-read, intelligent, and well-versed in current affairs. While she was at university, she was set up on a blind date, and into her life came the dashing young Ted Harrison. From that point on, they would spend their lives devoted to each other.

Misty and Ted were blessed with three children, and when the kids became teenagers, the Harrison home on Hillcrest Avenue in Hamilton was a popular spot for the siblings and all of their friends. This continued even after Misty and Ted’s eldest son Tyrrell was killed in a car accident when he was only 19.

When daughter Ann and son Alan moved out and were married, Misty and Ted made the most of their new “empty nest” and traveled the world. Galapagos Island, Kenya, and England were some of their favourite destinations. While Ted was busy running his company Hamilton Wire with Alan, Misty spent her days devoting her time to many volunteer organizations, including the VON, CNIB, and Hamilton Art Gallery. Together they always had Labrador dogs, at one point famously having five. Misty trained many of them to do field trials, with few being very successful except for her favourite dog, Simon.
Misty and Ted embraced grandparenthood with us (Edward, Thomas, Jessica, Hilary, William, and Richard). Christmases with Nana and Grampa at their home in Ancaster were magic, with a giant tree requiring a huge ladder to decorate to it. Many wonderful memories were also made in Muskoka on Cameron Island. All family celebrations, including birthdays, Easters, and New Years, were spent together and made more special because of them.

Tragically, Misty and Ted lost both Ann (1997) and then Alan (1999). Incredibly, Misty soldiered on, even as Ted’s Alzheimer’s slowly took his mind away from him, and still after he passed away in 2013. Our Nana lived on for us – for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren – still continuing to see us and support us, and even taking us down south for amazing family vacations in the Caribbean. Despite her unimaginable losses, she never had a “woe is me” attitude. She was wise and loving until the end.

Misty leaves behind her loving and loved grandchildren: Thomas (Oyima), Edward, Will (Laura), Hilary (Brad), Jessica (Chris), and Richard; her adored great-grandchildren: Ellie, Sarah, Dylan, Courtney, Sam, and Maddie; her son-in-law Dave (Cathy) and daughter-in-law Alexandra; and all of Ted’s wonderful extended Harrison clan in Hamilton, Victoria, and elsewhere. Special thanks goes to Alice, the most amazing caregiver and friend, first to Ted and then to Misty. We will be eternally grateful for the kindness and care she gave to both of our grandparents.
Misty was clear that she did not want a formal funeral service, but we look forward to having a celebration in the spring to honour the life of our Nana. Should you wish to make a donation in her name, she suggested the Terry Fox Foundation.