Today we say a sad farewell to the little Jewish lady in the colorful hat with twinkling eyes and a big smile who died in the early morning hours of February 12, 2022. Ina Lipman Harris and her twin sister Marilyn were born in New York City on January 29, 1923 to Isaac Birkhahn Lipman and Helen Phillips Lipman. Ina grew up on a fruit and then chicken farm in Washington Crossing, New Jersey with twin sister Marilyn, an older sister Norma, and their eldest sibling Bob. The Lipmans were the only Jewish people in that area. Although culturally Jewish, they were raised as Ethical Culturists. Practitioners of Ethical Culture focus on supporting one anther in becoming better people, and on doing good in the world.

With a teaching credential from Trenton State College, New Jersey, Ina taught in New Jersey, Washington State, Kansas, Missouri, and California. She was a good teacher who often had differences with the administrators because of her independent procedures. She liked and respected the students and their parents.

Ina married Noel E. Harris on December 27, 1967 and they were together almost 50 years before his death in 2017. Noel was the business agent for Plywood and Veneer Local 2931 and Ina began working with him as soon as they were married. Ina was a regular on the picket lines sharing her thermos of hot chocolate and supporting striking workers for better wages and working conditions. Ina and Noel shared a loving partnership of ethical and cultural values. They participated in labor activities, peace movements, and the struggles against discrimination and prejudice. Over the years they created a grand community of family and friends and welcomed so many into their home with warmth and love.

In the 1980s Ina and Noel attended Humboldt State University for nearly ten years in the “Over 60s Program.” Ina took classes in journalism and radio programming while Noel was mostly a history and political science student.

Ina called herself a “community activist.” She served 10 years on the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission. She contributed to two KHSU-FM Radio programs: “Through the Eyes of Women” and “Labor USA: Essays for Yesterday and Today.” She co-chaired the Humboldt County “Jesse Jackson for President” campaigns in 1984 and 1988. She was an active member of the NAACP-Eureka Branch since 1959. She was a charter member of the Community Multi-Cultural Education Committee and served as a board member of the Mitchell-Redner Homeless Center. She could be seen many Friday afternoons standing with “Women in Black” at the Humboldt County Courthouse flagpole.

In her later years she loved making and giving bouquets from her garden to the people who helped her. She wanted them to feel appreciated for the work they did every day in jobs where often no special thanks was typically given. When gathering flowers for bouquets became too difficult, she began gaving out fortune cookies.

Ina leaves three children from previous marriages: Niels Pearson (wife Gloria) of San Clemente; Gail Pearson of Helsinki, Finland; and Leigh Bradford of Iowa City, IA. She is also survived by Noel’s daughter, Rachel Harris and her partner Bruce Hobson. She had five grandchildren: Nikki Pearson (husband Ryan Fink), Leif Pearson (fiancé Genie), Lauri Gardner, Esko Gardner (wife Ida) and Cole Bradford Hotek; and three great-grandchildren Sointu and Taito Gardner, and Weston Fink.

Due to an autoimmune disease that developed in recent years, followed by several falls, and then the social isolation brought on by Covid, she eventually became homebound. Fortunately, she had a core group of loyal friends and family who called or visited her often and provided loving support in so many different ways: Rachel Harris and Bruce Hobson, Leigh Bradford, Victoria Onstine, Barbara Kaplan and Dave Woodson, Corinne Frugoni, Kris and John Onstine, Frank Onstine, Darylla Hager, Lesa Coleman, Nancy Mohney, and Jerryl Lynn Rubin. Thanks also to photographer Amanda Devons.

Ina was assisted by the PACE program under the caring direction of Dr. Jennifer Heidmann and nurse Katie Dorn as well as the Hospice of Humboldt team. Special thanks to Ina’s dedicated caregivers Naomi Llerena, Kristy Kissel, and Jacky Molina who held her hand, made her favorite foods, rubbed her feet and did everything else they could to make her last days and nights comfortable. And endless gratitude and love to Rachel Harris who worked tirelessly through many challenging situations to make sure Ina would stay in her home and be lovingly cared for there.

Over the years Ina was an inspiration to others, and her own activism was inspired by one of Jewish scholar Hillel’s philosophies: “If I am not for myself, who will be? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”

A memorial celebration will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Ina’s name to Eureka Rescue Mission, Humboldt Library Foundation, or a charity that reflects Ina’s lifelong dedications.

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