Mildred A. Schorr

1921 - 2024

Mildred A. (Bowser) Schorr, 103 of Lower Burrell passed away in her home on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. Born Sept. 14, 1921, in the home built by her parents Anna (Crispin) Bowser and James Asdale Bowser, 1927 Leishman Avenue, Arnold, PA. Mildred was a proud 1940 graduate of Arnold High School and worked on many class reunion committees. Before marrying she was a telephone operator at Bell Telephone, New Kensington. When her children gave her a hard time, she would tease, 'I should have stayed an old maid at Bell Telephone!' On Sept. 25, 1941, she married William (Bill) Schorr, also of Arnold. In the 1960's Mildred enrolled at Franco Beauty Academy in New Kensington. She operated a salon on Allan Street in Lower Burrell. Mildred, a talented gardener and floral arranger, was a member of the Burrellton Garden Club, Lower Burrell. She held many offices, and was the President, the final time, at age 92. She was also a Life Member of National Garden Clubs, Inc (NGC) and the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs, (CAR-SGC). She received the CAR-SGC Perennial Bloom Award for her long service in 2020. Mildred was a member of Grace Community Presbyterian Church, Lower Burrell, serving on the board of Deacons and was a ladies Circle member. She enjoyed sharing her creativity by helping decorate the sanctuary for Easter and Christmas services. Mildred was elected as a Republican Committee woman in LB 1-2 for several terms and enjoyed going to the Westmoreland Co. Republican Committee picnics to meet others. In 1934, US in the Depression, the Bowser family drove to Bakersfield, CA, looking for work. Mildred, a teenager, described travelling dusty route 66 on the return trip to Pennsylvania, with a fighting rooster tied to the running board! Mildred and Bill liked to travel and after Bill's passing, Mildred continued. She went to the NGC Convention, a cruise to Bermuda, with the garden club ladies from PA. She also attended the 2003 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA and worked putting flowers on the Boeing float. In 2004 she traveled to London, Tuscany and Rome with her daughter and son-in-law. Her idea of a good gift was an experience rather than an object. When she was ninety, she requested a trip to Cape May, NJ. It was the perfect place in Sept. Another year it was a carriage tour of the Fox Estate in Foxburg, PA. When she turned one hundred there were two parties, at her home for her church and garden club friends, then a family dinner at Villa Ballanca. After that, we were told no more parties. Her last adventure was flying to Orlando solo in 2023. She enjoyed being in her home and getting together with her family. We will miss her special presence. Mildred was the beloved wife of the late William W. (Bill) Schorr, Sr., the mother of the late William W. (Bill) Schorr, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Leeanna Ryba (late Richard Ryba) of Lower Burrell; and her son, Dale (Gina) Schorr of Millvale. Grandchildren, Josh (Suzy Walker) Krall, Bradley (Aimee) Ryba and Douglas (Rebecca) Ryba; and seven great-grandchildren. Sister of the late James A. Bowser of Lower Burrell. She was the last remaining aunt of many nieces and nephews around the country. Family and friends will be received at the FRANK F. GIGLER FUNERAL HOME, INC., Robert P. Karish, Supervisor, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. in Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant Street, Lower Burrell. (everyone please meet at the church). Memorial donations may be made to the Garden Club Federation of PA Scholarship Fund, Linda Southerling, Chair, 2105 Brinton's Bridge Road, West Chester, PA 19382-7058.