Phyllis I. Howell, 83, of Olanta died Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at her home. She was born March 6, 1930 in Elizabeth, NJ, a daughter of the late Phil and Minnie (Paffrath) McGarry.
Mrs. Howell received a degree in culinary arts from Penn State and was employed at various places, including the Houtzdale Senior Center as a cook. No matter where she was employed, she was known for her hard work ethic.
Mrs. Howell will always be remembered as being very active in her grandchildren’s lives and always attending their various activities and sporting events. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, Curwensville.
She is survived by two children, Douglas Howell and Shelly Shomo and her husband, Lance, both of Clearfield; three grandchildren, Jessica, Alexis and Jazlynn Shomo; and three step-grandchildren, Justin, Jamie and Lindsey Shomo.
Also surviving are four brother, Dick McGarry and his wife, Shirley of Glen Richey, John McGarry of Curwensville, Harry McGarry and his wife, Judy of Bloomington and Tim McGarry and his wife, Jan of DuBois; and three sisters, Mary McGarry of Curwensville and Margaret Hoehler and her husband, John and Janet Plaszenski, both of Colorado.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Blair Howell, on Aug. 18, 2003 and whom she wed July 22, 1950 in Clearfield and two brothers, Fred and Phil McGarry.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Kevin A Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield, with Pastor Daniel M. Osterhout officiating. Burial will follow in the Bloomington Cemetery, Curwensville.
Friends will be received from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday and from 10 a.m. until the hour of services Friday at the funeral home.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, 26 S. Second St., Clearfield.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.