Anna Louise Mcdowell

Anna Louise Stolz Benson McDowell, 93, died on June 25, 2014 in Athens, Ga.

She was born May 7, 1921 to Dr. Paul George Stolz, head of the School of Music and Department of Music at Bucknell University for 40 years, and Louise Olive (Graffin) Stolz of Allentown. Anna Louise was born at 103 South Front Street and lived within one block of there from 1921 to 2000, except for 7 months in 1942 when she lived in Ann Arbor, Mich., while her husband finished his graduate work at the University of Michigan.

She graduated from Lewisburg High School in 1938 and Bucknell University in 1942 with a BA in mathematics. At Bucknell, she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Mu Epsilon, and Alpha Lambda Delta. She received a master’s degree in Guidance Counseling from Bucknell in 1965.

Anna Louise married Paul Benson on February 5, 1942. Paul launched the Bucknell Book Store, founded Royal Imprints, Inc. and taught statistics and mathematics at Bucknell. During World War II, Anna Louise taught mathematics at Bucknell for 10 semesters. In 1950, she and Paul built a home at 100 South Front Street where she lived until 2000. In the summers, from 1958 thru 1975, Anna Louise and Paul owned and operated Idlewild Parents' Club, on Little Bear Island, Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H. From 1960 to 1964 she taught mathematics at Milton Jr. High School and from 1965 thru 1983 she was a guidance counselor at Lewisburg High School. Her husband, Paul, died in March 1975.

She married David L. McDowell on August 28, 1976. Dave and Anna Louise enjoyed a long retirement together traveling frequently, visiting family, and playing golf. Anna Louise was an accomplished golfer. Her father was a founding member of the Bucknell Golf Club. Besides golf, she enjoyed horticulture and bridge. She was president of the Junior Civic League, Vice President of the Civic Club, Treasurer of the 131 Club, and was on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels. Her husband Dave died in October 1999 and in August 2000 she moved to Athens, Ga. to be closer to family. In Athens, she lived at Iris Place for 10 years and Arbor Terrace for 4 years.

Anna Louise had a quick smile, warm personality, and a passion for her hometown and Bucknell University. She was a life-long member of the First Baptist Church of Lewisburg.

She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, George and Jane Benson, of Charleston, S.C. and Athens, Ga. and Chuck and Susan Benson, of Windham, N.H.; four grandchildren, Jeff, Laura, Brian and Alison; a niece, Louise Stolz Gorney, of Hilton Head, S.C.; a nephew, Robert Stolz, of Lewisburg; three step sons, Mike McDowell, of Wexford, Pa., George McDowell, of  Charlotte, N.C. and Bill McDowell, of Malvern, Pa.; their children, Kimberly, Brian, Dan, Ben, and Molly; and their children, Keith, Allison, Zachary, Maxwell, and Maryn.

She was preceded in death in 1997 by her beloved brother, Donald P. Stolz.

Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18 at Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, S. Second and St. Louis streets, Lewisburg. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, 51 S. Third St., Lewisburg, with her pastor, the Rev. MacKenzie Scott, officiating.

Burial will follow in the Lewisburg Cemetery.

The family will provide the flowers and suggests memorial contributions be made to either the first Baptist Church, 51 S. Third St., Lewisburg, PA 17837 or to the Paul Benson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to Bucknell University for this scholarship fund and address to Bucknell University, Finance Office, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837.