Youree Harris, aka famed psychic Ms. Cleo, has died at age 53 from cancer.
Harris, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, died in Palm Beach County, Florida. A rep for Harris did not state what kind of cancer she suffered from, but did say that she was a “pillar of strength” during her illness. The Advocate, in 2006, reported that Harris—who also did voiceover work for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City—was lesbian.
Windy City Media Group’s Amy Matheny, who interviewed Harris many times on the now-inactive podcast Windy City Queercast, posted a lengthy Facebook quote about Harris. In part, Matheny stated, ” Cleo was FULL of life, a seeker of clarity, a civil rights activist, and a deeply loyal friend. Her full throated laugh, mouth wide and head flung back was joy personified. She was a frequent guest on my podcast for a decade, but very quickly, she became more than a guest. She became my friend.
“[Harris] was passionate about spirituality. … She was passionate about south Florida, her community and family, and talked of all three every call. She was passionate about Spain and dreamed of owning a home there to retire. But she was a tireless worker, storyteller, truth-seeker.
“I don’t think she ever would have retired. We only met in person once … in Chicago when I invited her to see our town and judge Windy City Gay Idol. (She fell in LOVE with Chicago and the Chicago LGBT community.) And yet, I feel I knew her heart and soul more than most friends in my life.”