Obituary of Alma Ann Howe

Alma Ann Felton Howe April 27, 1934------January 28, 2016 Alma Ann Felton was born on April 27, 1934 in Clear Lake, Iowa to George Felton and Zada Geneva Rice Felton. She joined a brother, Harris, and later welcomed a sister, Zada. The family moved to the Los Angeles area in 1940 for employment opportunities aircraft industries and to help Alma's asthma problems. In 1947 the family moved to Portland, Oregon. Alma attended Washington High School. She graduated from Washington in 1952 as co-Valedictorian. She was awarded a scholarship to Willamette University. During her freshman year she pledged Delta Gamma Sorority and also met Robert Bob Howe in a Spanish class. They began dating her sophomore year, but that was interrupted when she contracted polio early that term. She was hospitalized for several months in Portland and had to withdraw from college. Bob visited her while she was in the hospital and they resumed dating. They were married March 27, 1955 and lived a brief time in Salem, Oregon and Camas, Washington. That same year they moved to Arlington, Washington where Bob was hired as a teacher. Alma was involved in several school and community activities. They spent the summer of 1958 at San Jose State. Jeanine was born in Arlington in 1959 and the family was off that summer to Utah State University on another National Science Foundation Institute. Alma and Bob decided to transition to college teaching so they moved to Corvallis for three years while Bob taught part-time and completed a doctorate in science education at Oregon State University. During those years Alma played a crucial role helping to type and process data for Bob's doctoral research. In August, 1963 the family moved to Columbus, Ohio where Bob joined the faculty of The Ohio State University. They settled in Worthington, Ohio, and Jeff joined the family in 1970. The Ohio years were among the happiest of her life. She enjoyed raising her children and being involved in their activities; she was a super mother. She enjoyed the university culture, the local communities and her many friends from her neighborhoods and activities. She was especially active in The Women's Club of The Ohio State University; she participated in several social service and interest groups, and was president of the main group in 1982. She was active in the Worthington United Methodist Church and in 1975 began playing in the church hand bell choir. They were advised that a move to the NW might be beneficial for both of them, so they moved in 1994 and settled in Camas. The house is on a hill, an easy drive to family members, the sea coast, the Columbia Gorge, lakes, and mountains. Alma continued playing hand bells with the Columbia Presbyterian Joybell Ringers—enjoyed playing bridge and volunteered with local organizations including the Camas/Washougal Community Chest and her neighborhood association. For several years she was her mother's primary care giver. Alma's main interests throughout her life were her family and friends. She was a devoted mother and showered her children with love and care. She was a loving wife and a full partner in all family endeavors. She made friends easily and strived to maintain contact with them. Among her other interests were travel most states in the US, Europe, Canada, Mexico, East Asia, photography, crossword puzzles, reading, current events, activities of The Ohio State University, music, theatre and a variety of TV programs. Alma was predeceased by her parents George and Zada Geneva Felton. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert W. Howe, Camas; daughter, Jeanine Howe, Grand Junction, CO; son, Jeffrey Alysia Abbott Howe, Cambridge, MA; grandchildren, Annabel Rose and Stephen Finnegan Abbott Howe; brother, Harris Marilyn Felton, Portland; sister, Zada Charles Lamb, Tigard; sister-in-law, Mary Howe Covert, Portland; seven nieces and nephews and their children, several cousins and close friends. A memorial service will be held at The Columbia Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, Washington at 2:00 pm on the afternoon of May 22. In lieu of flowers the following causes are suggested as memorials: The Camas/Washougal Community Chest Endowment Fund, PO Box 960, Camas, Washington, 98607; The University Women's Club of The Ohio State University Scholarship Fund, PO Box 82363, Columbus, Ohio 43202-0363; Columbia Presbyterian Church Bell Choir Memorial Gift 8715 St Helens Ave., Vancouver, WA 98664; Willamette University Scholarship Fund, Office of Annual Giving, Willamette U., 900 State St., Salem, Oregon 97301. Straub's Funeral Home and Columbia River Cremation in Camas is in charge of arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.