Jessie Mae French Harper

Jessie Mae French Harper “Wa”, 102, died surrounded by her loved ones on August 1, 2024 at her home at Bridges. She was born March 16, 1922, in Ludlowville, NY, to Josephine Riey French and Kenneth French. She had the nature of a true caretaker; her life was all about connection and community. She was outgoing, kind, had a great sense of humor, and truly cared for those around her. Jessie loved to travel, cook, walk, swim, and play card games, but most of all, she loved her friends and family.

Jessie attended Ithaca High School, graduating in 1939. She met the love of her life, George Harper, and they were married March 8, 1941. They had 2 daughters, Beth Harper Bradley and Kristie Harper O’Connor. She enjoyed homemaking, singing, and trying new recipes with her family.

Jessie worked at Cornell in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics starting in 1964 and retired as the manager of the department in 1982. She was immensely proud of this position, and it was another source of community for her. She loved sharing food and culture with the native speaker language faculty and enjoyed friendships with her colleagues until her death. Jessie also traveled all over the world with countless friends, including Russia in the 1990’s.

As the true caretaker that Jessie was, she moved in with her granddaughter Leah and her wife Gretchen at the age of 91. She helped raise their boys, and they helped take care of their “Wa”. The multigenerational family loved sharing cookies, dinners, school events, and playing games together.

Jessie moved to Bridges at 99, spending 3 years making new friends, doing puzzles, and enjoying live music. The family is very grateful for her care at Bridges in her final years.

Jessie is survived by her daughter Kristie Harper O’Connor (John), sister-in-law Laura Harper (John), grandchildren Jonathan Bradley (Renee), Erin Bradley, Michael Bradley, Leah O’Connor (Gretchen Ryan), and Kevin O’Connor (Joy), great-grandchildren Max O’Connor, Samantha O’Connor, Gabriel Ryan-O’Connor, and Luka Ryan-O’Connor, nieces Cheryl Taylor (John), Betsy Wilson (John), Leslie McLean (Dale), Mary Dake (Charlie), and near-daughters Margie Peech and Linda Knowles.

Jessie is predeceased by her parents Josephine and Kenneth French, brother Charles French, husband George Harper, daughter Beth Harper Bradley, son-in-law John O’Connor, and niece Susan Harper.

Jessie had a propensity for angels, blue and cookies. Our hope is that she is an angel dressed in blue with a bottomless cookie jar by her side.

The family invites you to join in a celebration of Jessie’s life on September 28, 2024 at 11am at First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, 306 N. Aurora St.