Betty Jane Bower, 90, of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 19, 2025. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose warmth and love touched all who knew her.
She was born on September 6, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of the late Albert and Emma Lowman. She was preceded in death by her brother Widner, who was lost at Pearl Harbor, her sister Ruth, and her brother Dawl.
She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Carl E. Bower, Sr.; her three children, Carl Jr. (and his wife Robin), Debbie (and her significant other Bill Harding), and David; her three grandchildren, Hope Miller (and her husband Tom), Andee Olson, and Corey Stouter (and fiancée Destiny Pratt); and her three great-grandchildren, Caleb, Lorelei, and Penelope.
In the 1950s, Betty worked as a switchboard operator before becoming a talented seamstress in New Jersey, where she created wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses. She especially enjoyed teaching her granddaughter her seamstress skills. Known as the neighborhood mom, her home was always filled with laughter. On rainy days, she taught the neighborhood kids to dance—especially the Jitterbug. She had a generous love for animals and allowed her children to have any pet they ever wanted, big or small. Betty also took great pride in her vegetable garden, which she grew year after year with care and joy. She loved hosting Christmas parties for the Carroll Valley Boro Council, where she proudly served as a Council member.
Betty also spent time working at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church alongside Father Ron and Father Bob. She loved her family deeply, and her great-grandchildren brought her special joy. Even as dementia affected her later years, her spirit shone through—last summer she surprised everyone by remembering her tradition of fist-bumping her great-grandson Caleb.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 47 DePaul Street, Emmitsburg, MD, followed by interment at the new Saint Joseph Cemetery, South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass on Saturday at the church. The Monahan Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements, and online condolences may be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her love, generosity, and joyful spirit.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to St Jude’s Children Hospital in memory of Betty Jane Bower.