Izora W. Bowermaster, 97

October 14, 2014

Izora W. Bowermaster, 97, of Juniper Village Retirement Community, Mount Joy passed away Oct. 14, 2014 at HCR Manor Care in Elizabethtown, PA.
Born Sept. 10, 1917 in Phillipsburg, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Lillian Julia Whiskman Plastino and Earl D. Whiskman; her step-father was Anthony J. Plastino.

She graduated from Bart Township and Quarryville High Schools. She earned an undergraduate degree in 1938 from Millersville University and a graduate degree in library science in 1946 from Drexel University.

She began her teaching career in Caernarvon Township. The she moved to Delaware County where she taught at the Roosevelt School in Middletown Township and then high school librarian at Audubon, NJ and Media High School in Media, PA.

She married Paul M. Bowermaster Oct. 20, 1945 and they were married for 52 years. She began working at the Lancaster County Public Library. She hosted a children’s story program on WGAL-TV, “Land of Story Books”. She was invited to be on a panel discussion at the National American Library Associaton at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. At that time, Lancaster was only one of three libraries in the United States having a children’s story program represented by a library. She also taught as a substitute teacher at Saint Anthony’s School.

While raising her family she returned to library work as the library media specialist at JP McCaskey High School. She retired in June 1983 after 22 years. Her professional career spanned 35 years.
She was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, Pennsylvania State Education Association and the School District of Lancaster retirees. She also belonged to the University Club where she had been a board member; Friends of Ganser Library, Lancaster Italian Cultural Society and Serra Club.

Additional affiliations included AARP, Lancaster Silver Threads, and Guys and Dolls Dance Club. She was an active member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church and a current member of Mary Mother of the Church, Mount Joy.

She and her late husband, Paul, were avid ballroom dancers. They won a second prize in ballroom dancing at 1993 Lancaster Recreation Association Senior Games. They also traveled extensively.
She enjoyed reading, bridge, ballroom dancing, music, gourmet cooking and above all, her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul M. Bowermaster; grandson, Aaron Weigle; sister, Gina W. Plastino; and brother, Paul Plastino, Sr.

She is survived by three children: P. Stephen of Libertyville, IL, Julia A. Weigle, wife of Gerald B. Weigle, of Manheim, Janice B. Verhoek, wife of Les W. Verhoek, of Bear, DE; and one grandson, Zachary Weigle.

Friends and relatives are respectively invited to attend a viewing from 9-9:30 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Mary Mother of the Church, 625 Union School Rd, Mount Joy, PA 17552 with Rev. Pang Tcheou as Celebrant. Interment will be at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602 or Excentia PAI Corporation, 1810 Rohrerstown Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601.