Dolores Ann Gowland
Dolores Ann Gowland, 96, of Philipsburg, died Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Windy Hill Village, PSL, RD Philipsburg.
Dolores was born on September 22, 1926, in Ramey, a daughter of the late Andrew M. and Anna (Kokosko) Palcher.
She was a 1944 graduate of the former Bigler Township High School, Madera. Following high school, she furthered her education and graduated in 1945 from the Adele Allen School of Beauty, Altoona.
Early in her working career, she was employed as a nurse’s aide at the Benson Sanatorium, formerly located in Philipsburg. However, for most of her career, she was a self-employed beautician. A career that spanned over 45 years in Philipsburg, Altoona and the Juniata areas. During that time, she also spent a year working with Paul Harper’s Beauty salon, formerly of Philipsburg; she was a part-time teacher at Pruonto’s Academy, Altoona; and a part-time hairdresser for the David K. Dahlgren Funeral Home, Philipsburg.
Dolores was married on October 28, 1947, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Ramey, to Mathew F. Gowland, who preceded her in death on July 9, 1982.
Dolores is survived by two daughters, Mary E. “Beth” Williams and her husband, Edward “Skeets,” of Philipsburg, and Frances A. Schultz and her husband, Phil, of Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin; two grandchildren, Kari A. Golding and her partner, Michael Foster, of Philipsburg and Mathew C. Williams and his wife, Nikki, of Locust Grove, Virginia; six great-grandchildren: Alison Williams, Bryan Kost, Jr., Ava Williams, Alexi Williams, Alina Williams, and Anna Williams; one sister, Catherine Labant, of Saint Marys; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dolores was an active member of the communities in which she lived throughout her life. While living in the Philipsburg area, she was a member of SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Rosary Society and choir at SS. Peter & Paul. Following the death of her husband, Mathew, Dolores retired from working as a full-time beautician and relocated to Altoona. Then in the early 1990’s, she moved to Florida and in the late 1990’s she relocated to the Arlington, Virginia area. While living in Arlington, she was a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and was elected for a term as President of the Women’s Council at the church.
Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed playing the piano and traveling.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 400 S. 4th. St., Philipsburg, on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 12:30 pm, with Rev. Michael Pleva, celebrant.
The Rosary will be recited at the church on Saturday at Noon by the SS. Peter & Paul Rosary Society.
Burial will be in Philipsburg Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook and share memories at www.beezerheathfh.com.
