Virginia Mary Howell

Virginia (Ginny) Mary Reed Howell, 89, daughter of the late Merritt E. and Laura A. Reape Reed of Lyons Falls, NY passed away on Nov. 13 at River Hospital in Alexandria Bay, where she had been a patient for the past two weeks.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville, with Deacon James Chaufty officiating.  Burial will follow in Old Glendale Cemetery, Glenfield.  No calling hours will be held.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lowville VFW Post #6912, 7752 W State St., Lowville, NY 13367 or the Lyons Falls Fire Department, 3907 High St., Lyons Falls, NY 13368.

Born in Croghan, NY on June 10, 1927, Ginny was the oldest of six children and graduated in 1945 from Lowville Free Academy.  She continued her education at Amendola School of Cosmetology in Utica, NY and graduated in 1947.  She developed a career as a teacher's aide for the South Lewis Central School District in 1967, until her retirement in 1987. Ginny was a member of the Lyons Falls Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and was a lifetime member of the Lowville VFW Auxiliary.  She was also a member of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Lyons Falls.

On February 24, 1949 Ginny married Varian (Hank) H. Howell in a ceremony held at St. Peter’s Church in Lowville, NY, officiated by Monsignor Hogan. The couple built their home on Laura St. in Lyons Falls, NY where they raised their five children.  She had a fierce love for life and for her family.  Ginny was a loving and caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was proud of her Irish heritage and had a wonderful sense of humor.  Known for her sharp memory, she would often share jokes with colleagues, family, friends, and anyone who would lend an ear.  She always looked forward to playing Euchre at family gatherings and was an avid sports enthusiast, especially college football.   Knitting dishcloths was her favorite pastime and Ginny loved to give them to family members, neighbors, and those who touched her life in some way.  She was usually the first one to arrive at a neighbor or friend’s home with a homemade casserole or pie and a kind word at a time of need or the loss of a loved one. Having a tender heart, Ginny also contributed often to numerous charitable causes.  She had a strong Christian faith and totally believed in the power of prayer.       

Ginny is survived by her husband of 67 years, Varian (Hank) Howell, two daughters, Kathy (Ron) Tepfenhart of Brownville, NY and Judy (Ron) Gilligan of Adams Center, NY and two sons, Rich (Renda) Howell of Clermont, FL and Bob (Tammy) Howell of Orlando, FL.  Ginny is also survived by two sisters, Shirley (Hugh) Wood of Lowville, NY and Betty Widrick of Croghan, NY as well as a brother, Walter (Steve) Reed of Richland, NY.  She has 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.  She is predeceased by a daughter, Madonna, a son, Doug, her parents, Merritt E. and Laura A. Reape Reed, and two brothers, Raymond J. and Merritt E. Reed.

Condolences may be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com . 

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