Emma Sterre Harrison

Emma Sterre (Sally) Harrison, 75, died Wednesday October 10, 2007, at Wesbury United Methodist Community where she had been a resident since December 2006. Sally was born in Union City, May 2, 1932, a daughter of the late Dr. Paul D. and Emma Catherine Sterrett Harrison. Her life-long nickname, Sally, was given to her by her maternal grandfather, Sam Sterrett, who was killed in an auto accident shortly after her birth. Sally attended Union City public schools and received her high school diploma from Penn Hall Preparatory School, Chambersburg, PA in 1950. While in high school, she won the title "Queen of Erie County Cheerleaders" in 1949. She attended Allegheny College where she majored in history and political science, then transferred to the University of Southern California, where she received her bachelors degree in 1954. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Upon returning to the Union City area, she was employed by the then-new WSEE television station in Erie. She married WSEE sportscaster Jack Ferner Beauchamp in 1956, at which time they moved to the New York City area where they both pursued careers in the television industry. Sally had one daughter, Susan Mary Beauchamp, now deceased. After many years in the television industry, Sally returned to school, earning a masters degree in education from Columbia University. She was later the office manager for many years at the Episcopal Church of St. Lukes in the Field, Greenwich Village. While living in New York, she especially enjoyed and regularly attended the opera, philharmonic, and museums, and she made several trips to Europe. After living and working in the New York City area for 35 years, Sally relocated to Meadville where she worked for several years in Kerrs Jewelry Store. She became very active in the Meadville Business and Professional Womens Club, where she was a strong advocate of the "Take Your Daughters to Work" program and served a term as president of the club. In 1995 Sally was the recipient of the organizations "Woman of the Year Award". Sally has served on the Meadville Beautification Committee. An avid flower gardener, she received the Homer Thornton Beautification Award in 1994 for her English garden at her former home at 255 Grandview Ave. Sally was also an active member of Christ Episcopal Church until unable to participate due to declining health. Survivors include three younger siblings, a brother Paul Donald Sterrett Harrison of Raleigh, NC, a sister, Virginia Sterrett Harrison Thompson and her husband Richard of Hickory, NC, and a brother Samuel Sterrett Harrison and his wife Linda of Saegertown, plus 10 nieces and nephews, including locally, Kelly Sterre (Harrison) Levis and her husband Christopher of Saegertown, Brooke Samuel Harrison and his wife Linda of Edinboro, and Ben Harrison and his wife Tresa of Pittsburgh. Calling hours will be Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc. 581 Chestnut St., Meadville. The funeral service will be Sunday at 10 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 870 Diamond Park with the Rev. Lawrence C. Donahue, of Bradford officiating. Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Center for Family Services, 213 Center St. Meadville, PA 16335.