Obituary of Alene Bowers

Alene Bowers went to be with her family in Christ on Friday, November 16, 2012 after 16 years of surviving breast cancer. Born September 9, 1957 next to the Bronx in the small city of Mount Vernon, New York, Alene was originally a member of the Mt. Vernon Church of Christ. She sang in the church choir and was active in counseling related organizations. Her experience in counseling began her second year in high school with group training by psychologists and social workers. This led to working for the Mt. Vernon Hotline, a crisis-centered phone counseling service. While attending Syracuse University and majoring in Spanish and Psychology, Alene continued as a hotline counselor and then as one of several coordinators during her summer vacations in Mt. Vernon. After her first year of college, Alene began taking her studies to Madrid, Spain each January through June until her graduation in 1979. While in Spain, she was a member of the Madrid Church of Christ (Iglesia de Cristo) where she sang in the choir. Alene also taught English at a language school and was a student worker for Syracuse University. After graduating from college, she returned to Mt. Vernon and then to White Plains, NY for employment until being offered a counseling position at Penn State. While working at Penn State, Alene earned a Masters degree in Counselor Education. Her final occupation at Penn State was that of an International Student Advisor, a position she held for 20 years. Alene defined herself as a counselor and international educator. She enjoyed meeting people during her international travels to several countries, particularly during her 13 trips to Spain where she formed long lasting friendships. She was an avid reader, and a lover of movies and theater. She also enjoyed practicing the piano and playing ping pong and intramural volleyball. In addition, Alene loved to watch sports, particularly professional tennis and the Olympics. Alene considered herself to be a thorough and dedicated worker. She was trustworthy, a loyal friend, and although sometimes intense, took great pleasure in helping newcomers feel at ease. She also loved spreading and receiving laughter, and was very humorous, often making puns when possible. She was close to her family members, loved her church family (Centre Community Church of Christ, State College, PA), and wishes her life had not ended before starting her bucket list. She refused to accept that she was courageous in the face of death, but understood that all of us must eventually make this journey. Her request is that others smile when remembering her. Alene is survived by a sister, Sherice Harper Nelson and her husband Lenny, of Minneapolis, MN, her uncle and aunt, Robert and Marjorie White, her aunt Margie Mitchell, her nephew, Matthew Nelson, all of Minnesota, and a host of cousins from Minneapolis, MN, Mt. Vernon, NY, Rochester, NY, Detroit, Michigan and North Carolina. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center at Penn State University, University Park, PA. Memorial donations may be made to the State College Food Bank, 276 W. Hamilton Ave., State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.