Obituary of Helen Anna Sawner

Helen A. Sawner, 91, of Whitesboro, passed away Friday, October 25, 2013 at Bethany Gardens in Rome. She was born in Whitesboro on May 25, 1922, a daughter of Louis and Anna (Jones) Sawner. She graduated from Westmoreland High School and Faxton School of Nursing. Following school she joined the Army as a nurse and served in China during World War II. After her military service she received her degree in public health from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. Helen worked as a school nurse in Boonville for many years. After leaving Boonville she worked as a school nurse in the Rome City and Catholic Schools until her retirement. She was an accomplished bowler, both in Boonville and Utica leagues. She was president of the Girls City League, M-L Woman's League, and Utica Women's Bowling Association. She bowled in 31 NYSWBA and 10 WIBC tournaments and in 1992 she was inducted into the UWBA Hall of Fame. She is survived by her sister, Marian Farley of Clinton; nephews, Robert Farley of Connecticut, Donald (Jo-Ann) Farley of New Jersey, Michael (Donna) O'Rourke of Hartsdale, NY, and Peter O'Rourke of Delaware; nieces, Joyce (David) Howard of Sherrill, NY, Katherine Sawner of Amherst, NY, Jean (John) Schumitz of Virginia, and Maureen Murphy of Seacliff, NY. She is predeceased by her infant brother Francis Sawner; a brother, Brother Marvin Sawner, CSC; a sister, Louise O'Rourke; brother, Clifford Sawner; and nieces, Mary Lou Harrington and Mary Ann Medley. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 10:30AM at the Church of the Annunciation, in Clark Mills. Burial will follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery, Clinton. All are invited to call on Monday, October 28, 2013 from 4-7PM at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College Street, Clinton. Please consider donations in Helen's memory to the Church of the Annunciation, 7616 East South St., Clinton, NY 13323.