Helen L. Bowser

MEADVILLE — Helen Liska Bowser, 94, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 14, 2011, at UPMC Hamot Medical Center, Erie. She was a resident of the Meadville area since 1937. Three weeks ago she decided to move into assisted living at Cribbs Home on the campus of Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community in Meadville. She was born in Braddock on Dec. 23, 1916, to Czechoslovakian immigrants, John and Anna Lenhardt Liska, and was raised in Albion. A 1936 graduate of Albion High School and a 1937 graduate of Jacqua Beauty School in Erie, she got her first job as a beautician at Johnson’s Beauty Shop in Meadville. On Sept. 2, 1939, she married Stanley L. Bowser, who preceded her in death on April 28, 1972. She worked at Meadville Medical Center in the snack shop and the cafeteria register for a period of 16 years, where she was admired for her friendliness and generous personality. A member of Golden Crown Chapter 44, Order of the Eastern Star, First Presbyterian Church, Meadville, and Meadville Medical Center Auxiliary, she has been well -known for her volunteerism throughout the community. She was honored as 2010 Volunteer of the Year, Retired Senior and Volunteer Program’s highest award, for her outstanding service and dedication as an RSVP volunteer since 1994. She also volunteered with the blanket group at the Family and Community Christian Association sewing blankets that are donated to the American Red Cross, Women’s Services and other organizations. She’s also donated hundreds of crocheted hats and mittens for children in the community and has passed on her crochet skills to others. In 2008, Helen was honored by the YWCA “Tribute to Women” as the recipient of the Elizabeth M. Crumrine Award recognizing her life-long contributions to others. She was also a volunteer in the Emergency Room of Meadville Medical Center until the age of 88 and a familiar volunteer at the Crawford County Fair each August in the Home Department. She shared her love of flowers, and her flower gardens were admired by many. In addition to her crochet work including afghans, doilies, snowflakes and bookmarks, she enjoyed reading and playing 500 at Active Aging. Her favorite pastime in recent years has been her weekly games of Mexican Train dominoes with the Domino Dollies, a group of women she dearly loved. In addition to her parents and husband, Stanley, she was predeceased by two brothers, John Liska Jr. of Western Springs, Ill., and Paul Liska of Albion. She is survived by a daughter, Shirley A. Rhoades of Vallejo, Calif.; and a son, Robert J. Bowser and his wife, Rita, of Meadville; as well as a niece, nephews and numerous cousins. Calling hours will be Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 544 Chestnut St., Meadville. The funeral and committal service will be Monday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with Dr. Brian K. Jensen of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Greendale Cemetery, West Mead Township. The family requests memorials be made to Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 956 S. Main St., Meadville, Pa. 16335.