Obituary of Beverly Juten Harries

Beverly Juten Harries, born April 4, 1931 in Duluth, died peacefully at the Benedictine Living Community on January 13, 2022.

During her life, she enhanced the ever expanding circles around her with her quiet care and attention, her authentic curiosity, her spiritual intelligence and her commitment to community. Bev and her sister Shirley Juten (Japan) grew up in a proud and industrious family in the Chester Park neighborhood in Duluth. Her father was a public school teacher and principal; her mother was a teacher and a homemaker. The family attended Chester Park Methodist Church which formed the foundation for Bev’s ongoing commitment to religious community.

Bev’s first career was as an occupational therapist. She earned her degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, an education that included a memorable internship in a tuberculosis sanitorium in New York. She was then hired by a hospital in Springfield, Illinois to establish their first occupational therapy department. She was part of the original staff of the Duluth Rehabilitation Center which later became the Polinsky Rehabilitation Center. Bev was born into a world in which the roles of women were well defined. In 1954, she married Gilbert Harries, a classmate at Central High School. They had four children, Tom, Liz, Jim and Kit. She assumed her role as wife and mother with grace and creativity. Family life was filled with children and pets, grandparents, holiday dinners, and a variety of school and family activities. She particularly enjoyed time outdoors with her family. Bev’s many volunteer commitments enriched her family life. As a member of the Duluth Junior League she modeled a commitment to community service, especially regarding children. She was active with and served on the board of directors of both Northwood Children’s Home and the Courage Center. Through her involvement in AFS, she supported young people from all over the world in exploring other cultures. Bev helped establish the St. Paul’s Church House Next Door as a place of shelter and support for Hmong refugees, becoming actively involved in the lives of the Hmong who came to Duluth at that time. As a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, she formed many life-long friendships, and experienced the value and importance of religious community. In 1986, her children grown, Bev began to develop an interest in feminist theology and began to explore other interests, pursuing additional education and a new career. She took classes at United Theological Seminary, and ultimately completed a certification program at the Center for Spiritual Direction in Minneapolis in 1994. She then enrolled in the counseling program at UWS, and following her graduation in 1995, she joined the staff at Lutheran Social Services as a therapist. Later, she and three colleagues formed Full Circle, an agency that sought to treat the mind, body and spirit through counseling, massage and spiritual direction. A highlight of her career was Sophia’s Circle, a year-long spiritual direction experience for women. After her retirement, she continued doing spiritual direction with members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth. Bev was held in high regard by her family, friends and clients, and by those who served alongside her as a volunteer. In 2005, she was named a “Woman of Distinction,” a person who has “worked to make our community a more inclusive and just place”, by the Duluth YWCA. Bev was a wise and generous presence, an exemplary listener, and a source of both common and uncommon sense. She never stopped learning or expressing interest in others.

Bev is survived by her sister, Shirley Juten, her children, Thomas Harries (Diannah Robertson), Elizabeth (Iwao) Maeshima, James Harries, Katherine Muellner, and grandchildren Miriam Harries and Ian Maeshima. Cards and remembrances may be sent to Beverly Harries’ Family, care of UUCD, 835 W College St. Duluth, MN 55811.

A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held on Wednesday, January 19th at 2:00 p.m. Friends wishing to attend via Zoom can find the link on the UUCD website (https://www.uuduluth.org/) on Wednesday morning.