Obituary of Tori Elaine Harrison

Ms. Tori Elaine Harrison, age 54, of Baltimore, transitioned Friday, May 15, 2020. Ms. Harrison was born October 29, 1965 in Baltimore, MD. She was a Basketball Coach at Rider University. A viewing will be held Saturday, May 30, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. A private Celebration of Life Service for Ms. Harrison will be held Monday, June 1, 2020 at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133. The interment will be private. Facebook Live Stream Link https://www.facebook.com/events/896595697435276/ OBITUARY On Friday, May 15, 2020, Tori Elaine Harrison, loving mother, daughter, sister, niece, godmother, cousin and friend passed into eternal rest following an extended illness. Tori was born on October 29, 1965, in Baltimore, Maryland to Laurence and Edith Harrison. She attended Baltimore City Public Schools through eighth grade and then Towson Catholic High School, graduating in 1983. She matriculated at Louisiana Tech University on a full athletic scholarship, graduating in 1987 with a degree in business administration. Tori's high school and collegiate basketball years brought her many accolades. She was recognized as Baltimore All-Metro and the best female player in the city every year while she was in high school. During her senior year at TC, Tori was named a Parade Magazine All-American and led the Owlettes to a #1 ranking in the USA Today poll. Tori was one of the top 10 recruited players in the country as a high school senior. Her stellar time as a TC Owlette led to her induction into the Towson Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. Tori's achievements continued at Louisiana Tech where she was a four-year letterwinner and a two-year captain. She helped lead her team to the NCAA Final Four in 1984 and 1987. In addition to being named the team's most valuable player in 1985, 1986 and 1987, she was also honored as the NCAA Southeast Region MVP and Louisiana Female Athlete of the Year in 1987. Tori still holds records at Louisiana Tech for field goals made, total points and blocked shots. After graduation, Tori's love of basketball led her to a career in coaching. She landed her first assistant coach position with the women's basketball program at Wake Forest University. She had numerous stops at top collegiate programs, including assistant coach positions at the University of Alabama, Clemson University, University of Minnesota and George Washington University. She had head coaching stints at Coppin State University and Rider University. While at Coppin, Tori was recognized as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year in 1993. In 1997, Tori was diagnosed with a rare disease of the central nervous system, which caused her to retire on disability from Rider in 2006. She moved back to Baltimore, living with her devoted, care-giving mother. The disease might have limited Tori physically, but she continued to live courageously, not letting it slow her desire or intention to be intimately involved in the lives of her family and friends. She enjoyed doting on her beloved daughter, Lauren, attending family activities and sporting events, especially Baltimore Ravens games. Tori relished traveling and her family beach trips, and she loved playing dominoes, cards, and games on her iPad, particularly Candy Crush. Tori was an avid viewer of many television shows, especially her treasured soap operas, The Young and the Restless and General Hospital. She also was a big Survivor fan and actually watched all 40 seasons. As a child, Tori joined Enon Baptist Church in 1976, and renewed her membership at Enon when she returned to Baltimore. When it became physically challenging for her to attend services in person, she was blessed with monthly visits from the deacons of Enon, with whom she enjoyed fellowshipping. Tori loved her Enon family and they loved her. For her entire life, people always complimented Tori on her big, infectious smile. She was a kind-hearted, happy person who always looked for the best in others. She will be remembered for her positive outlook and her daily cheery "have a good day" wish. Tori will be dearly missed by her family and friends, but she has left a lifetime of wonderful memories and experiences for them to hold dearly. Tori was preceded in death by her father, Laurence Harrison, Sr. and brother, Laurence Harrison, Jr. Tori leaves to cherish her memory her beloved daughter, Lauren (Adrian) Williams of Upper Marlboro, MD; her devoted mother, Edith Harrison of Baltimore, MD; her dedicated sister, Cheryl Harrison of Laurel, MD; aunts, Joyce Carrington of Durham, NC and Anna Price of Reidsville, NC; uncles, James Scott and George (Constance) Scott of Durham, NC, and David Johns of Baltimore, MD; a faithful adopted aunt, Barbara Kilgore of Baltimore, MD; her sister-cousin, Deidre (Stuart) Adams and godchildren Randall and Harrison Adams of Columbia, MD; and a host of loving cousins and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Tori E. Harrison Endowed Scholarship Fund c/o Catholic Community Foundation, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201or online at https://www.archbalt.org/z_ccf/education-funds/st-frances-academy