Sonnet S. Harris

Some people spend their lives following a path laid out for them. Sonnet Suzanne Harris spent hers creating her own. Whether it was her career, her recovery, her friendships, her fierce love for others, or her courageous battle with cancer, Sonnet lived life on her own terms. Through every triumph and every challenge, she showed those around her what resilience, generosity, and determination truly look like. Simply put, Sonnet did it her way.

Sonnet was born on August 5, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised by Samuel Ellsworth Harris and Elizabeth Viola Harris. Affectionately, Sonnet referred to them as Grandpa Harris and Mama Harris, both of whom she loved dearly.

Sonnet attended Mumford High School in Detroit and graduated with the Class of 1970. After a brief time in college, she found her way into show business, where she worked with Columbia/Tri-Star Studios in Chicago, Illinois, for roughly a decade. Years later, she began a 15-year tenure with IAA in 2011.

Sonnet's pride and joy were her two beloved fur-babies, Bubie and Blue Harris. She often said that Bubie and Blue "saved my life" because they gave her purpose, strength, and motivation to continue her journey in sobriety.

One of Sonnet's greatest triumphs was celebrating 37 years of sobriety. She was an active member of the recovery community, and both her sobriety and the relationships she built through recovery became central parts of her life. Her dedication to helping countless individuals find peace and hope—especially while facing her own health challenges—was truly remarkable.

Sonnet's lung cancer journey began in 2016. For nearly a decade, she endured surgeries, treatments, and countless procedures. Yet through it all, she remained a warrior, fighting with everything she had. One of the things that sustained her throughout her cancer journey was spending time with the people she loved, whether hosting an intimate dinner for a few friends, celebrating a fur-baby's birthday with a summer barbecue, or gathering loved ones for her annual New Year's Eve dinner party at Chile Verde.

In January 2026, Sonnet chose to undergo one final cancer treatment in the hope of quieting the disease she had battled for so long. Sadly, that treatment marked the beginning of the final chapter of a fight she had waged so courageously for nearly ten years.

On May 1, 2026, the world lost one of its most precious souls in Sonnet Suzanne Harris at age 73, who passed away in Plainfield, Indiana. Sonnet leaves behind a legacy of resilience, generosity, compassion, and unwavering determination. And Bubie and Blue lost the best fur-mama ever to grace this earth.

Sonnet is survived by her beloved fur-babies, Bubie and Blue Harris. She is also survived by family and friends across the United States—including Michigan, Illinois, California, and Indiana—as well as in the Philippines.

Though she is no longer with us, the countless lives she touched will forever carry her spirit forward. She did it her way.

Friends and family are welcome to gather for a memorial service celebrating Sonnet's life on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:30am at Indiana Funeral Care. Visitation to be help prior to service from 10:00am - 11:30am at the funeral home.