Virginia "Jini" Harris Karelitz

On March 19, 2024, Virginia "Jini" Harris Karelitz, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away from cancer in Albuquerque, NM at the age of 72. Jini was born on May 2, 1951 in Newark, NJ to Morton and Norma (Schotland) Harris. She grew up in Teaneck, NJ and was graduated from Teaneck High School in 1969. She attended Boston University School of Business where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1973. It was in Boston where she met her future husband, Richard, who was attending Boston University School of Law. They were married on August 18, 1974, and moved to Sharon, MA where they raised their two sons.

Jini worked as an insurance company pension benefits specialist prior to raising her family. As a mother she was an active volunteer in Sharon Public School PTO's and was a member of Temple Sinai of Sharon for many years. She was a skilled calligrapher and later went on to sew, embroider, and craft in her free time. She also enjoyed daily exercise classes with her friends.

As an avid New England Patriots fan, Jini attended every Patriots home game and all Patriots Super Bowls for two decades along side her husband Richard, the general counsel to the Patriots and the Kraft Group. In 2009 Jini and Richard retired to Albuquerque, NM, where Jini listened to Boston sports radio daily to keep up with her teams. She continued her volunteer activities there, most recently crocheting blankets for needy children through Project Linus.

Jini is survived by her loving husband Richard; sons David of Albuquerque, NM and Daniel (and his wife Milena) and grandsons Jack and Max of Boston, MA; and brother Robert Harris (and his wife Jennifer Snyder) of Kamuela, HI.

May Jini's memory be a blessing to us all.

Final arrangements by French Funerals and Cremations are private.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, One Patriot Place, Foxboro, MA 02035, or to a charity of your choice.