Aurora Lynn Harris

Nov 12, 1977 -

Apr 20, 2024

Aurora Lynn Harris (nee Rinard) aged 46, passed away on Apr. 20, 2024, at home in Anchorage, Alaska.

Aurora was born in Fairbanks on Nov. 12, 1977. She went as a newborn to live in Anaktuvuk Pass with her parents, Dayton and Linda Rinard and her older brother, Christopher. She lived with her family in Kodiak for a couple years, then in Homer for a few years and finally in Anchorage.

Aurora attended East High School for two years, then transferred to Polaris K-12 High School when it opened. She was the yearbook editor at Polaris and graduated in 1996. She attended UAA before entering the world of work.

She worked as a manager at Value Village then almost 20 years and as a supervisor at Alaska Federal Credit. She worked for Alaska Waste from home during COVID-19.

She married James Harris, and the Air Force sent them to Las Vegas. They parted after many years, and she returned home to Anchorage. She was an Alaskan girl who missed her family and friends.

Aurora was an artist and musically talented. She danced in the Nutcracker several years and was an accomplished pianist. She was a talented and creative baker and cook. Her decorated cakes and cupcakes were epic. She won an art award at Polaris and won first place at the Anchorage newspaper cookie contest.

She was a loving cat mom and always had one or two cats since she was a child.

Aurora had Guillain-Barre syndrome as a child and spent months in the hospital totally paralyzed. She bravely fought back and learned to walk again. She was very caring and independent and always put other's needs above her own.

Aurora is survived by her mother, Linda Rinard: and brother, Christopher Rinard of Anchorage; younger brother, Nicholas Keene and wife, Ashleigh of Portland, Ore.; nephews and niece, Arledge, Marian - who Aurora nicknamed "Peachy Keene" - and Gene of Portland; along with lifelong friend, Audrey Ives of Chugiak.

Aurora was preceded in death by her father, Dayton J. Rinard; grandparents, George and Ruth Rinard of Arizona; grandparents, Naomi Keen Stanton and C.V. Keen of Michigan. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt and her family misses her beyond measure. We know she is free from pain and is peacefully dancing with the Aurora Borealis in the Alaskan night sky.

Aurora died as a result of domestic violence. If you are in an unsafe situation, please seek help before it is too late. To honor her memory donations may be made to A.W.A.I.C., 100 W. 13th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501.

There will be a small memorial gathering Aug. 16, 2025, in Anchorage when family can travel. For details contact her family and if you are able to attend, please wear blue, her favorite color.

Her ashes will be scattered in Homer with her father's ashes, a place she loved as a child.

Until we meet again Rory.