Jacqueline Jaki Harris
October 20, 1970 ~ September 26, 2011
Jacqueline 'Jaki' Harris , 40, passed away suddenly at Hartford Hospital on September 26, 2011. Born Jacqueline Francis Greenaway in Johnstone, Scotland on October 20 1970, she emigrated to America in 1989. Since her acceptance into TWU Local 764 in 1994, Jaki worked on numerous Broadway shows and many national Broadway tours. Whether as an Asst. Wardrobe Supervisor or a 'Star Dresser', her bright smile and quick wit made her countless friends in the Broadway community and across the country. Included in those, to her credit, is Dame Judi Dench and Jaki's dear friend, the late Eartha Kitt. The youngest of six children, Jaki is survived by sisters Linda Soutar and Joanna Greenaway, brothers Frank and Hugh Greenaway, and many nieces and nephews that she loved 'heaps and heaps'. Jaki had been a resident of New Haven since 2005 where she lived with her fiancée Andrew Bynum. Friends may visit to say goodbye and share remembrances on October 7th from 11 to 2pm at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden. Visitors are asked to bring photographs of Jaki, if possible, to be sent home with her. She will be returning to Inverness, Scotland to rest with her mother Patricia, sister Margaret, and nephew Robert.
I love you, Whore’s Breath. Instead of being Dresser to the Stars, you’re Dresser to the Angels. I’ll still think of you every day, especially whenever I hear a filthy joke I know you would like. xoxoxo
For Andy & Jaki – our thoughts and prayers are with you today – Mom & Dad G
I miss you ooddles and I will see you later,you are my best friend and will always be in my heart love you
Jaki~You brought happiness and smiles everywhere you went. I am so blessed to say I was your friend. May you find peace.
My thoughts & prayers are with you. Wish I could be there in person but know you will be in my heart Friday & always. Love, Aunt Debbie
My thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew you! You will be sadly missed by all you touched. I know you will be watching over your special friends…until we meet again.
My thoughts and prayers go out to, Andy and to family of Jaki. May she rest in peace and may your sorrow be lessened by the sincere condolences of your friends. God Bless!
Our sincerest condolences to Jaki’s family. We met Jaki on tour in 1998 and again in 2005. She was one of those special persons who, no matter how long apart, made you feel as though you were part of the group. Her bright smile and quick wit brightened every room she entered. She will be missed. Rest Peacefully, Jaki. We love you! Love, AJ, Shari and Jordan
Rest in peace Jaki…….
Rest in peace, ya crazy Scot! Give my love to Eartha!!! Always yours in the breath of whores! xoKen
We were co-matrons of honor at my sister Karin Eckert’s wedding. You always had a smile on your face and I will never forget that. You brought such love and joy into my sister’s life and I will always be greatful for that. You are missed terribly. May you now rest in peace.
You brought joy to so many folks, Jaki. Thank you, and bless you!
You lit up the room where ever you went Jaki , with your cheeky smile and your naughty sense of Humour 🙂 It is inconceivable how much you will be missed!My thoughts and prayers are with Andy and your family and when i see the brightest star in the sky at night , i will know it is you !
Andy, family and friend’s, I am sorry to hear about Jaki. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Andy-may you be comforted by the memories you have of Jaki. My only regret is that I never knew her better, but know how much she meant to you and you to her. Deepest sympathy from me and the entire Senical family
I am so very sorry to hear about Jaki. My thoughts are with you. Barb
Jaki lit up my life and boosted me up countless ways. What is amazing is how many people can say that about her. I am proud to say that I’m a little more wicked due to her influence, and I will miss her with all my wicked heart. I love you, Jak.
Jaki was a comet, flaming, burning, sometimes with happiness, sometimes with sorrow, sometimes in joy, sometimes in tears, but always with all of her beautiful heart and soul .all in!. She was complicated, yes, (the best people are, aren’t they?)and my family feels tremendous sorrow that we lost track of her a bit and perhaps did not know how difficult her journey had become, but she was never far from Karin’s thoughts. Jaki was a real source of spiritual strength through good times and bad for Karin. Life goes on, but today, tomorrow, and for all the tomorrows we have left, we can’t help but think somehow, in some elemental way that we cannot understand but can truly only sense, our lives are forever…diminished…by Jaki’s passing. Great joy and love to Andy, Hughie, and all the friends and family to whom Jaki meant so much.
Jaki, You had such an uplifting way of lighting up any room at any time! I consider it a privilege to have toured with you on .Cinderella.. You brought more fun moments into the office than you could ever realize. To this day, I think about how you’d burst in with news of a newest .Eartha-ism. (Collagen lamps and insulin underwear). Sleep with angels now!
My deepest sympathies to you, Andy, and to all of Jaki’s family and friends.
Nobody could make me smile on a daily bases more then Jaki could. I will miss that grin,warmth and unique charm… R.I.P. dear friend.
One of the best trips of my life was traipsing through Scotland with Jaki and meeting her wonderful family in the mid 90’s. Pure concentrated sunshine she was. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Joanna and the rest of the family. I remember that trip on the lake in search of Nessi and the generosity that her amazing family showed me. I send you all my love and hugs in this time of loss. Kind regards, Scott Ellis
Our loss is heavens gain. Love you for ever. Rob
Rest in Peace Jaki….
So hard to believe that you are gone – your beautiful smile and infectious laugh always made me smile – It was such a pleasure to get to know you on The Producers – I enjoyed being .Team Marty. with you – you made everything better. My sincerest condolences to Andy and your family. RIP dearest Jaki Love, Susan
The best part of traveling from city to city while on tour with WICKED was knowing I would have a few short days in Jaki’s company. I’ll miss her laughter, her kindness, her smile, and her breathtakingly quick wit. My deepest sympathies to Andy and her family. May she rest in peace.
I am heartbroken. There never was another like Jaki. She was tough and loving and outrageous and blunt and so, so dear. She lived life with a capital L, and with more gusto and relish than I’d ever seen in anyone. I had the opportunity to write about her in my book, .Letters from Backstage,. and now I’m gladder than ever that I did, so that those who never met her might have at least a feeble description of what a one-of-a-kind character she was… and what a joy she was …and what a truly great woman she was. It is absolutely unforgivable that she’s gone. I just hope heaven is ready for what’s coming their way.
Living and working in a group of actors who were all comic by nature, no one could bring a laugh faster than Jaki. I would hang out around her whenever I could just to hear what would come out of her mouth. She was unique in all this world and her keen wit and irreverance and compassion will be missed. Flights of angels sing you to your rest, dear Jaki.
Thank you Jaki, for allowing me to get to know part of you…even if just for a season….keep smiling upon us; I will miss you and your wisdom. In light and love, Jane
I was thinking of Jaki just the other day. This news comes as a great shock. Jaki was so funny and charming, and yet so strong. I loved working with her and I am so sorry that I lost touch with her. I hope she now has all the books she wants and all the time to read them.
I wouldn’t have had enough time with Jaki if I got to spend every second of my life with her. So glad I got to have the time I did with her.
My beautiful McCrammy, bridesmaid and best friend, there are no words that I can utter to express my overwhelming feelings of sorrow. I can only cherish the laughter! The laughter from the always loud 3rd floor of the Eugene O’Niel, the balcony,beach and bars on Fire Island and all the moments we shared together. You are the flame and we are the moths…..we have been changed…for good!
U have such a spectacular smile. I will miss our talks n teaching u bout ur cell phone n the Starbucks coffee. U r dearly missed. May u rest in peace.
My beautiful Wee Sister it has taken me all this time just to start looking at your beautiful face as it still hurts far too much I thought I was moving on but I was wrong. I miss you unmeasurably. We talk about Uncle Jaki all the time and you will only be gone when we forget about you so that means you will be with me forever. I love you more than I could possible express in words I Miss You Juicy Poops I miss you more than chips lots of love your big Bruv
How can it be that I have only just found this out. I am devastated. I never laughed as hard as when I was with you those 9 months and I am reminded of you so often. Words Fail me. I love you madly you stupid Scot. Your Jillybeans x
I met Jaki in Bradley international airport a few years ago. I only saw her that one time but we kept in contact for a while after. That day in the airport I was crying as I held my fiance tight and said goodbye, for he was in the Army and was headed back to Fort Sill, Louisiana. I sat down and waited to watch his plane takeoff. I was doing my best not to cry, but it was apparent that I was having a hard time keeping myself composed.. Out of all the people in that waiting area, Jaki was the one to walk over to me. She sat beside me and handed me a water. She asked me about my fiance and we talked about all kinds of things. She kept me company until it was time to go. I hugged her and thanked her.. We kept in contact with each other by emailing for quite some time, but we lost touch about two years ago. I have missed her.. She left such an impression on me and I will carry on and spread that love she so kindly shared with me that day, for as long as I live. That day Jaki taught me that God puts angels in your life when you need them most. She was a wonderful, bright and kind soul. I’m sure she touched many lives, like my own. I will never forget this woman. God bless you, Jaki. Thank you for all the wonderful things you taught me.
Oh Jax… Can it be that you’re watching over us now? For 18 months on Cinderella you made us howl… And always had time for the Twirlies, even when mama was feeling regal. Sweet Haggis… Sleep in heavenly peace…
Jaki, You had such an uplifting way of lighting up any room at any time! I consider it a privilege to have toured with you on .Cinderella.. You brought more fun moments into the office than you could ever realize. To this day, I think about how you’d burst in with news of a newest .Eartha-ism. (Collagen lamps and insulin underwear). Sleep with angels now!
Oh Jax… Can it be that you’re watching over us now? For 18 months on Cinderella you made us howl… And always had time for the Twirlies, even when mama was feeling regal. Sweet Haggis… Sleep in heavenly peace…
Jak — Just a note to say I still think of you every single day. If you’re reading this, get a hobby you damn fool. xoxoxox
Just found out today. You crossed my mind and I did a search and read the news. You know this, I know. This is for me, not you;-) I admired you from the moment I met you. To this day I have never met another who could match your wit, intelligence, and fashion sense. You did start the knee boot trend afterall… I was the nerd to your cool kid and I think my biggest sadness of your passing is that you never wrote and published a novel. I always thought you would have been bigger than J.K. Rowling if you wanted to be in terms of popularity. Your substance and content would have been 100 times as satisfying. You are missed and you beat me to Billy. Please tell him how much I love him too. Sorry about the shampoo. Love you. Lizzie VAN De Bogart