Harriett Joyce Bower

Harriett Joyce Bower, 81, of Titusville died at 7:15 p.m., on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Southwoods Assisted Living in Titusville. Born November 2, 1933 in Oil City, PA, Harriett was the daughter of the late Harry and Gertrude (Stoudt) McCartney. On August 31, 1953, she married Curtis A. Bower, who preceded her in death on July 26, 2003.Harriett was a homemaker. She was a very active and faithful member of her church. She taught Sunday School, helped with the youth group, was the secretary of the Women's Association, was an Elder and a Deacon, and cooked for church dinners.She was member of Ladies Civic League and was noted for being very community service minded. She always thought of others first. Mrs. Bower was an excellent seamstress. She made her children's clothing and wedding gowns. She enjoyed cake decorating, crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, quilting and jigsaw puzzles. She enjoyed riding motorcycles with her husband, and was a member of the "Rambler's Motorcycle Club." Harriett also enjoyed rollerskating and dancing with her husband. She was proficient in the Waltz. She was a nature lover and enjoyed bird watching, in particular hummingbirds.Harriett is survived by her son, Curtis Bower and his wife, Joyce, of Franklin; her 4 daughters, Theresa Stellman and her husband, Terry, of Missouri City, TX, Ada Bower of Mary Ester, FL, Vivian Karns and her husband, Darrell, of Franklin, and Amy Bell and her husband, Greg, of Franklin; her 4 brothers, David S. McCartney of Shippenville, Harry J. McCartney of Kanapolis, NC, George C. McCartney and his wife, Cathy, of Chesapeake, VA, and John Dechant of Cooperstown; and her 2 sisters, Phyllis King and Frances Lamey, both of Oil City.She is also survived by her 9 grandchildren, Keith Stellman and his wife, Karen, of Fayetteville, GA, Nathan Stellman and his wife, Mimi, of Katy, TX, Jessica McCarthy of Sandy Lake, Stephanie Swope and her husband, Michael, of Franklin, Andrews Karns and his wife, Jenepher, of Summerville, SC, and Michael Bower, Matthew Bower, Ryan Bell, and Jarrod Bell, all of Franklin; and her 9 great-grandchildren, Zachery, Zoey and Zaley Stellman, Breanna McCarthy, Meghan and Amanda Swope, Emma and Ethan Karns, and Harper Stellman.In addition to her parents and husband, Harriett was preceded in death by her 2 brothers, Robert E. McCartney and Clarence Dechant; and her infant sister, Vesta McCartney.Friends will be received at the Gardinier Funeral Home, Inc., 1315 Chestnut Street, Franklin, on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, from 6-9 p.m., and at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin (1250 Elk Street), on Wednesday, November 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Church on Wednesday following visitation with Rev. Barry Jenkins, pastor of the church, officiating, and Rev. Stephanie Thompson, pastor of Nicklin United Methodist Church, co-officiating.Interment will be in Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens.In Mrs. Bower's memory, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Crawford County, 464 Pine Street, Meadville, PA 16335 and/or the First Presbyterian Church Women's Association, 1250 Elk Street, Franklin, PA 16323.To send online condolences, flowers, cards, or for further information, family and friends are invited to visit www.gardinierfuneralhome.com.