Ada Mae Harbin

SALINA - Ada Mae “Jo” Harbin was blessed to have her portion of life on this earth span 92 years. She was born on August 22, 1928 in Kansas City, Kansas.  She transitioned to her heavenly home on March 15, 2021.

During her life on Earth, she experienced many historical events.  She was born into this world prior to The Great Depression, an event that shaped her formative years.  Then came WWII and the 1950’s baby boom years, followed by other wars, inflationary economies, and recessions.  She moved from a pen to the typewriter, then to the computer, and saw the United States and world become smaller through changes in transportation and communications.  Ada Mae ended her life journey during the global pandemic of the 21st century although she was not a victim of Covid-19 . 

Her personal history included many wonderful opportunities.  She was privileged to travel the world with her husband William (Bill), a WWII Navy veteran, who left this world two years before she did.  The couple sailed many oceans and visited exotic locations around the globe.  Locally, she helped her husband build his construction company and often volunteered in the community.  She played bridge with the same group of women for over 50 years before they disbanded. She and Bill were faithful members of the First Christian Church and later the Covenant Church.  

Ada Mae’s greatest joy was her family.  Her sense of worth was deeply imbedded in the nurture and service to her children—Gary Harbin, Debbie Wagner (Don), and Don Harbin (Tracy).  Her children in turn gave her eight grandchildren:  Brad Harbin (Whitney), Alex Harbin, Melissa Kazmi (Jaffer), Grant Wagner (Amanda), Audrey LeCrone (Matthew), Caleb Harbin (Ashlee), Christian Harbin (Maria), and Sarah Cooke (Bobby).  Her great grandchildren numbered five with number six on the way—Olivia Harbin, Lawrence and Scarlett Kazmi, Everly Cooke, and Eliza LeCrone—who will carry a strong sense of her love into a world in need of compassion.

To celebrate Ada Mae’s heritage, a Kansas version of an Irish wake will be held at 4 pm on Sunday afternoon, March 28, at her home.  The celebration will include a brief service followed by story telling and food.  The family invites all who want to join in honoring her life.  Memorial gifts may be given in Ada Mae’s name to the Ashby House, the Salina Symphony or the Greater Salina Community Foundation.

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