Obituary of Norma Watrous Howland

Norma Watrous Howland, 100 years, of Wellsboro, PA, died May 12, 2015, peacefully at Broad Acres Nursing Home. Born December 30, 1914, Mrs. Howland was a lifelong resident of Tioga County, PA. Her parents were Norman and Ida Strait of Watrous, PA. She had three siblings; Beatrice, Clifford and Raymond. She was the granddaughter of William Henry Watrous and J.D. Strait of Marshlands, PA, both of whom were Civil War veterans. Mrs. Howland grew up in Gaines Township in the village of Watrous and graduated from Galeton High School in 1931 and then attended Mansfield State Teachers College from which she graduated in 1936 with a BS in Home Economics Education. Subsequently, Mrs. Howland attended Syracuse University and obtained a Master's Degree in Sociology. On June 30, 1937, Mrs. Howland married Allen W. Howland of Gaines at her parent's home in Watrous. They resided in Gaines for many years before moving to Tioga, PA. Husband Allen died in 1978. They had four children, Linda Walters (deceased), Helen Fye of Tioga, PA, Allen N. Howland of Bernie, TX and Michael H. Howland of Middleburg, VA. She had five grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many other "informal" grandchildren. Mrs. Howland taught Home Economics and English in the Tioga School District (later Northern Tioga School District) for 20+ years. In 1965 she moved to Mansfield State College (later Mansfield University of PA) where she taught Child Development and Elder Care and was vice chairman of the Department of Home Economics before retiring in 1976. Mrs. Howland served as: Girl Scout Commissioner for Northern PA; District Deputy, President of the Daughters of Rebekeh; a member and President of Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; Daughters of American Revolution (DAR) Regent of Wellsboro Chapter; President of the Treaty Elm Chapter Colonial Dames – 17th Century; State Librarian and State Secretary for the Pennsylvania Society CDXVIIC and Curator of the Robinson House Museum of Tioga County Historical Society. In retirement, Mrs. Howland was active in various aspects of community life in Tioga County, especially with the Tioga County Historical Society and other local organizations. She was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Tioga, PA, where she served on the vestry. As mentioned, Mrs. Howland was a life member of the DAR and among other accomplishments organized an anniversary of her great, great grandfather, Daniel Strait's service in the American Revolutionary War, who is buried outside of Nelson, PA. Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Buckheit Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., 637 S. Main Street, Mansfield, PA. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Main St., Tioga, PA on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at 1:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made in Norma's memory to the Albert and Mary Guiles Krieger Foundation, c/o Citizens and Northern Bank Trust Department, 90-92 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Tioga, PA. www.buckheitfcandcrematory.com