Shirley A. Bower, 88, of Williamsport, passed at home on Dec. 10, 2023.
She was born in Williamsport on March 17, 1935, the only child to the late John Carl and Anne (Winters) Keller.
She was a 1952 high school graduate of St. Mary’s and a lifelong member of St. Boniface Catholic Church where she served on the Parish Council. Shirley’s administrative skills secured her the role of Executive Secretary to Marvin Staiman of Staiman Brothers. She proudly served in diverse administrative positions throughout her career. However, her most cherished role was as a typing and word processing instructor at the State Correctional Institution at Muncy where she made a positive impact on her students. She retired from this position after 18 years.
She married Charles W. Bower on April 11, 1953 and they celebrated 70 years together.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by their children, Charles J. (Sharon) Bower, Gregory (Brenda) Bower, Maria (Mark) Maddy, Christina (Bruce) Schwartz, Marlene Bower, Rebecca (Chris) Roof, and Matthew (Susan) Bower; grandchildren Laura Bower, Landree Bower, Chelsee Cowden, Hannah Bower, Marc Maddy, Tyler Maddy, Alexa Maddy, Blaine Cowart, Mason Schwartz, Eli Schwartz, David Zehner, Doug Zehner, Annie Roof, Jakob Bower, and Chase Bower; as well as great-grandchildren Marley Zehner, Canon Cowart, and Brooks Cowden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter-in-law Cynthia Bower, and grandson Matthew Bower.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 326 Washington Blvd., Williamsport PA 17701, at 11:00 am on Dec. 18, 2023. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the St. John Neumann Regional Academy at: SJNRA Academic Angel Fund, 901 Penn Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 with Memo: In Memoriam of Shirley Bower.
Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted with handling final arrangements. To share a memory or sign an online register book, please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com.
