Louise Tilley

Louise Tilley got her final wish. She died peacefully in her sleep just like her own mother had done. Louise was 94 years old.
She was born Louise Jane Bonham in Tunkhannock, in 1918 to Calvin and Maude. Her father ran a general store in the town. Her mother kept house and raised Louise and her older sister Esther. Louise had a happy and vibrant childhood among her family and friends.

She graduated from Lackawanna Business College and worked as a secretary in a Tunkhannock bank. She joined IBM in Endicott, N.Y. to work as an executive secretary in the early 1940s.

During the war a serious long distance love affair developed with a handsome young Tunkhannock airman who was serving in England, Alvin S. Tilley. The moment he returned home safely he proposed and she enthusiastically accepted. He still owed Uncle Sam some time as an instructor so he and Louise were married immediately in Tunkhannock in April 1945. After a train ride and Florida honeymoon, they packed Louise's bicycle and left Tunkhannock again for Texas where Al would be instructing future bombardiers.

Louise learned to cook in Texas and was eager to return to Tunkhannock to set up housekeeping a block from her parents' home and have a baby in 1946. In 1948, the young couple moved to Montrose for a job offer for Al with Horlacher & Sherwood Chevy Olds on South Main Street. By 1950 they had purchased their home; and by 1952 a son was born. Louise's interests included reading, current events, politics, homemaking and gardening.

She belonged to a Ladies League at the Montrose Bowling Alley and loved going off on tournament trips with her girlfriends. She was a Girl Scout Leader during the 1950's and loved hosting parties and the friends of her children.

In 2007, Al died and she took up residence at Gracious Living Estates in South Montrose where she made many new friends despite fighting a few battles with her health.

Her pleasant disposition and fun-loving nature are remembered by many. She was not one to criticize or gossip. She believed none of us are perfect and she tried to live her life by the Golden Rule; treat others as you would like to be treated. Louise always had a kind word and a smile.

She is survived by her two children; Rodrica, of Brattleboro, Vt., and Alvin Jr., of Montrose, their spouses; Michael Poster and Pamela Rosa Tilley; and her three beloved grand-children and their spouses; Andrew and Lauren Tilley of Harrisburg, Zoë Poster and Matt Severson of Scranton and Charles Tilley of Montrose; one great grandson Samuel David Tilley of Harrisburg.

There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Montrose Cemetery with Rev. Paul W. Gere officiating. The family will receive friends at the cemetery from 1:30 to 2 p.m.