Obituary of Harriet G. Tower

Youngstown, Harriet L. Gibbs Tower, age 98 of River Rd. in Youngstown died Tuesday May 5, 2009 under the Niagara Hospice House in Lockport, following a recent heart attack and stroke. Harriet was born November 9, 1910 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late Ralph B. and Harriet B. (Lane) Gibbs of Springfield, MA. She was a 1931 graduate of Smith College in North Hampton, MA and as a French major, she spent her junior year studying in Paris. After her graduation she worked in the Boston area before marrying Howard M. Tower of Youngstown in 1938. Her children were born in Springfield, MA and in 1945 the family moved to Youngstown where they lived on the Tower family fruit farm on Creek Rd. until 1985. As a farmer's wife she was active in the Youngstown Garden Club, Study Club, Presbyterian Church Sunday School, and local scout, 4-H, and Home Bureau activities. Harriet later worked at Ft. Niagara, Haightman Real Estate in Lewiston, and the Pittsburg Metallurgical Co. Her love of gardening was evident in her plantings to naturalize the family gravel quarry on Lockport Rd. Harriet was also fond of animals and always had a cat. She was a former member of the Porter Historical Society and the Porter Democratic Party. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard, in 1996 and a brother, Ralph H. Gibbs in 2005. She is survived by her daughters, Harriet "Skeeter" L. Tower and Mary Ann (late William) Rolland both of Youngstown; her grandchildren, Stacey Rolland of Bodega Bay, CA, Gregory T. Rolland of East Hampton, MA, and Christopher Bennett of Dunkirk, NY; and her great granddaughters, Sally, Daisy, and Charlotte Rolland. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 11:00 AM in the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 100 Church St. Youngstown, with the Rev. Rex Stewart officiating. There will be no prior visitation. Burial will be private in North Ridge Cemetery, Church Rd. Town of Cambria. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 100 Church St., Youngstown, NY 14174, Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094, or to Niagara County SPCA, 2100 Lockport Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Arrangements have been entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOME, 3648 Ransomville Rd., Ransomville, NY