Virginia A. Hower

Virginia Ann "Ginny" Hower, 90, of Northampton, died on October 28, 2022.

Born in Northampton on April 16, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Earl W. and Marion I. (Fritzinger) Heckman. She was the loving wife of the late Warren H."Washy" Hower, who died in 1993. They met roller skating at Edgemont Park. Married on October 16, 1954, at St., John's UCC Church in Howertown where they were members. Ginny and Washy loved skating and dancing together.

Virginia was a former Sunday School Teacher and Girl Scout and Brownie Leader. A 1950 graduate of Northampton High School, she played the clarinet in the band and orchestra and also served on the Yearbook staff. She was employed as an office worker at Kinzel's Appliance Store in Northampton, a typist at PP&L and cafeteria cashier and custodian in the Northampton Area School District.

She was an avid reader and writer and enjoyed completing crossword puzzles and watching collegiate girls' basketball games. She was passionate about the flowers, birds and deer in her backyard. Ginny enjoyed the special trips to the Philadelphia Flower Show, Niagara Falls and the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Wellsboro. She enjoyed classical music and the arts. Ginny was particularly impressed when her son, Jay, took her to New York to see the Phantom of the Opera. She shared many fond memories of trips with her grandmother, Ida Fritzinger, who took her by train to New York where she enjoyed watching for the Statute of Liberty and also viewing many performances at Rockefeller Center. Most of all she loved spending time with her beloved children and grandchildren especially in the mountains of Tioga and Potter Counties. Her children have fond memories of the many play dates she hosted with plenty of refreshments for the neighborhood children during the summer months. Ginny enjoyed family picnics in the backyard, with croquet, bocce, and softball games, and her favorites … teaberry ice cream and lemon meringue pie. Her husband, Warren, used to tease her that she had "homing pigeon" in her because she enjoyed having children around and having picnics in their backyard. Most of all, Ginny loved her husband, Warren, and her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those who truly got to know Ginny, knew she was a good friend to all.

Virginia will be dearly missed by her sons Jay Hower of Northampton, with whom she resided; Earl Hower and his wife Shelley of Leesburg, VA; James Hower and his wife Amy of Northampton; daughter Jean Susko and her husband David of Nesquehoning, PA. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Dr. Jeremiah Hower and his wife Melody of Florida, Michael Hower of Leesburg, VA, Jennifer Alvarado and her husband Anthony, Justin Litwin and Emily Hower of Northampton, Michaela Susko of Nesquehoning and great-grandchildren Sebastian of Massachusetts, and Juliet and Natalie of Florida, and Gracie Mae of Pennsylvania. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jane Litwin; son-in-law, Charles Litwin; and brother, Donald Heckman; and sister, Carol (Heckman) Luther.

A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday November 3, at St. John's UCC Howertown, 22 Atlas Road, Northampton with Pastor Martin Nuscher officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM up to the time of service. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery Howertown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. John's UCC Howertown, 22 Atlas Road, Northampton or a charity of your choice. Schisler Funeral Home, Northampton, PA, 18067 have been entrusted with her care and services.