AMHERST – Billie Marie Howes, age 92, died peacefully on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.  She was born on November 13, 1925 in Buffalo, New York to Maude and Gary Burton Clow.  While attending Lyndonville Central High School, Mrs. Howes studied voice at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester.  After graduating from high school in 1943, she attended the University of Rochester receiving her degree in English and history in 1947.  In 1963 she earned a Master’s degree in speech from the University of Wisconsin.

            After teaching in New York and Maryland, Mrs. Howes worked as a teacher and administrator in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District for 24 years.  During her 30 years as an educator, Mrs. Howes earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and students for the dedication, enthusiasm and creativity that she brought to her work.

            On June 30, 1951, Mrs. Howes married Merle L. Howes.  During their 66 years of marriage, they worked together to build a beautiful home where her love of gardens and nature bloomed brightly and a cat was always a dear companion.  Throughout their marriage, Mrs. Howes and her husband traveled extensively around the United States and abroad.

            She was very involved in her church community at the South Congregational Church.  She particularly enjoyed working in preparation for the Christmas fair by creating crafts and making a lot of delicious jam.

            Besides her husband, Mrs. Howes is survived by her three children: Ray Howes of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; LaVerna Howes Albury of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; and Pamela Howes, of Amherst Massachusetts.  She is also survived by her granddaughter, Jennifer Marquez Albury (Antonio Marquez) of Amherst, Massachusetts, as well as her great-granddaughter, Juliet.

            Calling hours at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst will be on Wednesday, February 28^th from 3 – 5pm.  A funeral service will be held at the South Congregational Church in Amherst on March 3^rd at 10:00 a.m.  The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst, MA  01002.