Mary Howes

HOWES, WOODARD

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/8/2006 at 18:14:27

The Clinton Herald
Published: November 07, 2006 11:15 am

Mary Howes

Mary Howes, 75, of Clinton, Iowa died Friday, November 3 in her home surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services were held on Monday, November 6 at 11 AM at the First United Presbyterian Church on 5th Avenue in Clinton. Friends attended the visitation with the family on Sunday from 4 to 6 PM at the Church.

Mary Eugenia Woodard was born in West Union, Iowa where her family has lived for 150 years, to George and Viola Woodard. She had fond memories of growing up in Northeastern Iowa, including golfing and hunting with her dad and brother and cooking with her Mother. After graduating high school in West Union she attended University of Iowa where she majored in Physical Education with a minor in English and set a 50-yard dash record in intramural competition. She was a member and secretary of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. In 1953 she moved to Clinton to teach physical education at Washington Junior High School and met her husband of 52 years, Edward Atwood Howes.

Mary was an active member of many organizations in Clinton and Austin, Texas, including The First United Presbyterian Church Circle, P.E.O. Chapter Fi, Sunoida Club, Antique clubs, Meals on Wheels, Clinton Country Club, Junior Women’s Club, Agatha Circle. She also served as PTA president of Hawthorne elementary in the early 1970’s.

Mary was an enthusiastic athlete and loved to play golf. Even while she was suffering with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) she golfed impressively and was always ready for 18 holes with her friends. As an active museum-goer, she always knew what exhibitions were on view in Chicago or New York. Although she did not play an instrument, she loved opera and musicals and encouraged music appreciation among all of her family members.

She was blessed with many loyal friends who were in turn blessed by her kind attention to their needs and interests. She loved working in her flower garden and playing bridge. Mary was an adventurous world traveler and together with Ed she made multiple visits to Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa and North and South America seeking adventure, fun and cultural education everywhere she went.

Mary is survived by her husband Edward, her two sons Brian and Stephen, two daughters-in-law, Deborah and Lisa, and four grandchildren: Sophia, Andrew, Ian and Elena. She is also survived by her brother George Woodard of West Union, Iowa, his wife Iris, two nieces Jane and Nancy and nephew Dick. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in her honor to the following organizations: The First Presbyterian Church, YMCA-Clinton, ALS Association, and Mercy Hospital Hospice.

Mary Eugenia Woodard Howes

Clinton, Iowa

January 11, 1931 - November 3, 2006