As she recently said, I’ve lived a long and wonderful life. She would have turned 94 in two weeks.

Born October 15, 1924 in Worcester, NY to Carl and Mildred L. Hartwell, Lois was a loving wife and mother, and a tremendous role model for her family and those who knew her.

As a depression era child, and the middle of 7 children, she always appreciated what she had, and knew not to take anything for granted. At the same time, she was a forward thinker who never stopped encouraging and supporting people to grow and excel.

Lois met her husband to be, Will, during high school in Oneonta, NY. Family lore says that Will would go to visit her at the lunch counter where she worked because she would add an extra scoop of ice cream to his sundae. They married after high school. Lois learned to drive while following her Army/Air Force husband around the country during WWII, and through two teaching stations, ultimately settling in Oswego.

Mom was the heart of our family: she was the spotter when the kids waterskied, she packed the meals for trips/events, she manually typed her husband’s papers (including his doctoral dissertation), she taught her sons how to play baseball, she sewed and mended clothes, and she helped build the family house. She understood that everyone had strengths and weaknesses, and that each would contribute in whatever way they could. She knew that in the end, things would get done faster, that everyone could take credit, and know that they had been part of a job well done – all while having some fun. She was the lynch pin in quietly, strongly, and successfully making good things happen for her family throughout her life.

She was a force to be reckoned with, but at the same time, she never stole the limelight from others. A bridge master, Lois continued to actively play until recently. She was a wiz with numbers and finances and was a great planner. Finally, she was someone who was “always there” and that you could count on.

Lois was active in the community, including membership in PEO, Oswego Hospital Guild and Oswego State faculty wives. For enjoyment, she was an avid reader, loved to sing, and attended live theatre when she could.

She leaves her 3 sons, Steve (Claudia) Allen of Cincinnati, OH, Robert (Gail) Allen of Leominster, MA, Richard (Debbie) Allen of Fair Haven, NY, and 4 sisters, Dora Hartwell of Tucson, AZ, Beverly Prodenski of Milford, UT, Gladys Ealey of Lakewood, CO, and Patricia Watson of Holdridge, NE.

Lois leaves 5 grandchildren, Melissa (Allen) Celli, Carolyn (Allen) Scheper, Scott Allen, Shane Allen, Brenton Allen; 4 step-grandchildren, Josh, Jon, Desi, and Jeromy Tesoriero; and 6 great-grandchildren, Oliver, Henry, and Will Celli; Sadie, Gianna and Isabelle Tesoriero and Abigail Scheper.

Lois was predeceased by her husband, Willard; grandson, Christopher Allen; and siblings Norman Hartwell, Harold Hartwell, Wanda Meeker, and Shirley Lundquest

The family would like to thank the wonderful people at Springside and the Manor on Seneca Hill as well as the staff of Bishops Common for all their care and attention to our mother.

Plans for a celebration of Lois’ life have not been finalized.