Marion M. Bowers

NORWICH < Marion M. Bowers, 89, of Norwich, passed away early Sunday morning, Oct. 5, 2008, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital. Born in January of 1919 in Norwich, Marion was the daughter of Barnett "Eddie" and Ida Schloss May. She grew up in Norwich where she attended Norwich schools and was a 1937 graduate of the Norwich High School. Marion continued her education by attending Syracuse University and the University of Buffalo. During World War II, she belonged to the USO and traveled with them throughout the United States. While her husband was in the war, she made her home for a period of time in Auburn. Marion spent most of her life in Norwich and worked for the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation at the Rogers Conservation office in Sherburne. She retired in 1981 after 16 years of service. For many years she and her daughter operated The Glass Menagerie Antiques, and traveled around the area doing antique shows. An avid sports fan, Marion was fond of the NASCAR racing, the Buffalo Bills and anything to do with baseball. Marion is survived by her daughters, Sharon Binelli and companion Rick Frink, of Norwich, and Doneen Pilat and husband Paul, of Port Byron; her sister, Cleora Stanard, of Norwich; her grandchildren, Michael Binelli and wife Elizabeth, Greg Binelli, and Brian Binelli and wife Julie, all of Norwich, Jeffrey Pilat, Joanne (Jodi) Yale and husband Roger, and Jennifer Lang and husband Scott, all of Port Byron. Several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services for Marion will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home, Norwich. The Rev. Jeff Hale, pastor of the Broad Street United Methodist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the funeral home, and again from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11 a.m. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.