LORENA (GAUGHAN) BOWERS
NORWICH – Lorena (Gaughan) Bowers, 87, of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2015 at the Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich.
Lorena was born the daughter of the late, William and Delilah (Joy) Gaughan on June 24, 1927 in Oneonta. Lorena attended New Lisbon District Schools until the 6th grade. She was a graduate of the Morris Central School, Class of 1946. Lorena continued her education and completed a business program at Ridley Lowell in Binghamton. In 1947 Lorena began her career at Preferred Mutual Insurance Company in New Berlin. On October 28, 1950, Lorena married her beloved husband, Fred “Bunky” Bowers, at the Broad St. United Methodist Church in Norwich. In 1952 Lorena started working at Norwich Pharmaceuticals as a secretary where she later retired as a Data Processor after 20 years of service.
Lorena spent time socializing at the Elks with her husband Bunky and enjoyed participating in several mixed bowling leagues in the area. Lorena was undoubtedly successful, both academically and in her career but was most proud of her role as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She cherished the time she spent raising her three children Michael, Robert and Mary, and always enjoyed watching them participate in sporting events. Lorena’s fondest memories were the times she spent with family, and she especially treasured the relationship she had with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family will always have very special memories of the ways she filled their lives with love and laughter.
Lorena is survived by her daughter, Mary and her husband Edson Kitchen of Bainbridge; her twin sister Loretta Steward of Binghamton and twin siblings sister Dorthea Knickerbacher of Oneonta , and brother Donald Gaughan and his wife Maggie of Morris; her beloved grandchildren, Joshua (Rebecca) Bowers and their children Kaylie and Zane of Sidney, Ryan Bowers and his daughter Kiura of Sidney, Robert Adam Kitchen (Kelly Branigan) of Vestal, Eric Kitchen (Megan Lippmann) and their son Bryson of Greenville, NC, Caity (Sean) George and their children Taylor, Brenna and Breegan of Bainbridge and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Lorena was predeceased by her parents William and Delilah, her husband Bunky and her sons, Michael and Robert Bowers.
A Funeral Service for Lorena will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. Rev. David Speigel, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Norwich, will officiate. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A private graveside service will be held at a later date in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Norwich.
Lorena’s family would like to share their heartfelt gratitude for the wonderful care of the compassionate staff at Chase Nursing Home in New Berlin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718.
Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.