H. Belle Himes of Bloomsburg passed peacefully in hospice at Maria Hall on July 30. Born February 4, 1920 to the late Charles and L. Hazel Piper of McKeesport, PA, she is predeceased by her sister Charlotte Davies and survived by her sister Prudence Burns (Robert) of Salisbury, MD. Her first husband, Bill (William Mann) was killed in action in WWII while serving with the First Special Service Force. She later married Craig Lowry Himes in 1961 and they remained together until his death in 2012.
She graduated McKeesport High School, received her Bachelor's degree from Clarion State Teachers College in 1956 and her Masters in Education from Bloomsburg State College in 1966. She participated in the University of London's Institute of Education Associateship Program in 1970-71 and 1978-79. She later received a certificate in Theatre and Music from Bloomsburg University in 1987. Her elementary teaching career spanned from 1942 to 1982 in various McKeesport and Danville area schools. She also taught for a course on "teaching social studies in elementary school" at Bloomsburg University in 1989.
Always social, Belle was active in Sigma Delta Phi (social sorority), Beta Sigma Phi (national sorority), Bloomsburg Order of the Eastern Star, AAUW, BUWC, Bloomsburg Players, and volunteered at Bloomsburg Hospital Auxiliary. She still got together regularly with her sorority sisters.
Christine Cameron and several caring neighbors, including the Williams' and the Morrison's have been the reason Belle was able to remain living in her own home for so many years. She and her family are eternally grateful to all of you.
She leaves behind her daughter, Lynn Mann Williams of Damascus, MD, two granddaughters: Erin Williams of Rockville, MD and Cara Williams Huether (married to Dameon Huether) of Frederick, MD; 2 great grandsons: Aleister and Rhys Huether; and numerous nieces and nephews who are scattered throughout the country.
At Belle's request there will be a small, private graveside ceremony. Her last day of being fully conscious in hospice she knew the answer to the final Jeopardy question without any hesitation and then asked her daughter and granddaughters to "raise one for her" when they headed home for the evening. CHEERS, Belle! You will truly be missed!
The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Street in Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Himes family.