Mary Phyllis Bowman Howell

Lansing, NY

Our mother, Mary Phyllis Bowman Howell, left this world December 11, 2014 to be with her late husband, James Ward Delaney Howell, who passed away in 2010.

She is survived by their sons, William (Marcy) Howell of Atlanta, GA, Donald (Judy) Howell of Ludlowville, David (Sherri) Howell of Monroe, NC, and James (Bonnie) Howell of Montour Falls, NY; grandchildren, Debra Howell, Michael (Cyndi) Howell, Benjamin (Kerry) Howell, Jeffrey Howell, Carolyn (Brian) August, Kathryn (Scott) McCann, Michael (Katrina) Stevens and Tyler Stevens; great grandchildren, Kevin (Sarah) Howell, Bailey Howell, Marisa and Cody Howell, and Olivia and Nicholas Stevens; brother, Bruce (Carol) Bowman of Bracey, VA and their families; cousins, Paul (Verna) Bowman of Lansing and their families; Barbara (Gene) Swords of Lancaster, PA and their families. Dear to her heart are the over 100 Howell nieces, nephews, their spouses and all of the next generation. In addition to her parents and her husband, Phyllis was preceded in death by her sister, Floy Ann Hunter; step grandmother, Kitty Keim Bowman; uncle, Vernon (Jewel) Bowman; her husband’s siblings, Barbara and Ralph Rohm, Charles and Helen Howell, Herbert and Ernestine Howell and Josephine Howell Taylor Green

Phyllis was born May 1, 1928 to the late Edmond Newham Bowman and Grace Austin Bowman. She was a member of the King Ferry Church of the Brethren followed by membership at the Lansing United Methodist Church. She graduated Ludlowville High School in 1946, was employed by Tompkins County Board of Representatives for 25 years, serving as Clerk of the Board and Past-President of the New York State Association of Clerks of County Legislative Boards; a member and Vice President of Lansing Historical Society; and a fun loving Red Hat member. Phyllis also crocheted numerous baby blankets sure to be treasured for years by family members and friends.

Purchased in 1948, Phyllis and James spent many happy years preserving their 1876 Victorian home and barn on Ridge Road, Lansing, and then in 1981 built another home on Ridge Road. They recalled being “the kids” in their neighborhood and then becoming the “seniors”. A sleigh from the carriage barn, with the addition of Santa and reindeer have graced both homes for years during the holidays. In 1998 they purchased land at Aurora, and with the labors of family and friends, created a camp on Cayuga Lake for all to enjoy. Their travels were many throughout the US, including Alaska and Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Wales, Egypt, and other European countries, all made more enjoyable with their traveling companions, James and Eva Sweazey and Charles and Helen Howell. It was air, car, boats and motorhomes……A GREAT RIDE!

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 or the Lansing Historical Society, PO Box 100, Lansing, NY 14882.

Family will be present to receive friends from 4-7 pm, Saturday, December, 13th at Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Rd., Lansing, NY. A memorial service, officiated by Pastor Jane Sautter, will begin at 2pm, Sunday, December 14th at Lansing United Methodist Church, 32 Brickyard Rd., Lansing, NY.