Annalee Fowler dies of heart failure

DOWNEY - Annalee Elizabeth Fowler, born on March 4, 1923 in Stockton, Mo., to William Luther Benton Curl and Leona Opal Underwood Curl, died of heart failure on Jan. 21 at Vista Hospital in Hawaiian Gardens.The eldest of eight siblings, she was active in the USO during World War II, as well as working for the Pratt-Whitney Aircraft Company and Levis-Strauss, both in Kansas City, to help the war effort. She worked many different jobs, including jobs at the telephone company, at a copper mine, as a restaurant cook, as a baker and cake decorator, and as a classroom aide at Stanford Elementary School in South Gate. She also sold Tri-Chem and Avon products. In 1984, Fowler was honored as the Azalea Queen by the city of South Gate. In her later years, she made many friends at Rancho Los Amigos Adult Day Services, where many of her art pieces were displayed annually in the Art of Rancho exhibit. In 2001, she completed her conversion to Catholicism by completing the RCIA program at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Downey. Fowler is survived by six siblings, Drinda Aldridge, Billie Delaney, Nancy Coleman, Leona Morlan, Paul Curl and Norman Curl; five daughters, Carol (Ronald) Quillen, Martha (William) Delancey, Barbara Foster, Dorothy (Camille) Nemr, and Dianna Fowler; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Her husband, Harold Fowler, brother, Robert Curl, and daughter, Jude Corke, preceded her in death. At her request, Fowler's remains were cremated and no funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Make a Wish Foundation.

********** Published: February 10, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 43