Lorraine Fowler

Lorraine grew up in Libertyville, Illinois, the daughter of Mabel and Paul MacGuffin. She graduated from the University of Chicago in 1942 and went to Portland, Oregon, where her librarian aunt Norma Peck lived. During World War II she worked briefly as a pipefitter in the shipyards, and then ran "Rec 3," a recreation hall for shipyard workers, and met and married Lewis Fowler. After the war, she and Lewis lived in Seattle and then in New York, where she attended graduate classes at the New School of Social Research. After Lewis finished graduate school, they lived in St. Louis, Missouri, where she raised her three children, and among other activities introduced Girl Scouts from all over the St. Louis area to camping. In 1976, after Lewis' death, she moved to Vancouver, Washington. In Vancouver she was a very active CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer and guardian ad litem, looking out for the best interests of many abused and neglected teenagers and working with the courts to get them services. She also volunteered with the free meal program of Share House in Vancouver, and was honored as a Woman of Achievement in 1994 by the Clark County YWCA. She was an active member of the Unitarian Fellowship of Vancouver, and enjoyed hiking in the woods, going to plays in Ashland, several trips abroad, and many close friends. In 2000 she moved to Austin, Texas. She died there on February 5, 2010 after many years of Alzheimer's. She is survived by her children Norma Fowler (Austin), Paul Fowler (Denver), and Theresa Fowler (Philadelphia), stepdaughter Lorelei Herres (Seattle), and step-granddaughter Sonora Thomas (Boston). Her memory is a blessing. Contributions in her memory may be made to Clark County CASA Program, 3609 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98663, or to a charity of your choice.