Louise “Lois” Isabella Day, 94, of Bradford, died early Monday (May 30, 2022) with her youngest daughter, Laura, at her side following an illness at the Bradford Ecumenical Home.
Born Dec. 26, 1927, in McKeesport, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Edgar and Isabella Ginn.
She graduated from South Hills High School in Pittsburgh in 1945 and later worked as a clerk at Mellon Bank in downtown Pittsburgh.
On July 16, 1949, at the Evangelical Protestant Congregational Church in Pittsburgh, she was married by her father to the late Robert Samuel Day, who preceded her in death on October 28, 2013.
In her early years of marriage, she lived in Warren, moving to the Bradford area in the 1950s when her husband was hired as a commercial artist at McCourt Label Company.
As the mother of eight children, Lois was very busy with their care. She served as an early advocate for special needs children, as her youngest son, Tommy, had been born with Down syndrome. She and her husband went against the norm following Tommy’s birth, insisting that he be raised with his brothers and sisters during an age that promoted the institutionalization of children with disabilities. She was a member of the former McKean County Society for Crippled Children (predecessor to the CARE for Children organization) and had provided an interview with the Public Broadcast Station in Penn State on the topic of children with Down syndrome. During the interview, Lois spoke of the joy and value of raising children with special needs. Her family is grateful that she chose this courageous stance that likely changed the viewpoints of others in the community and area regarding acceptance of those with special needs.
After her children had reached maturity, Lois worked part-time for several years as a nurse’s aide at Bradford Hospital, a job which gave her great pride in the care she provided others.
One of the pleasures throughout her life was reading, which she continued to enjoy to the end of her life. Most enjoyable to her were the numerous books she borrowed from the Bradford Area Public Library and the daily newspapers from the Bradford Era.
Survivors include her brother, Roy Ginn of Maplewood, MN: four daughters, Kathy "Kate" (the late Roger) Sager of Bradford, Carol (Rand) Feura of Santee, CA, Judith (Thomas) Biggins of Norwood, NJ, and Laura (George) Puvel of Thurmont, MD; three sons, Kenneth (Jean) Day of Reistertown, MD, Robert (Darling) Day of Olean, NY, and John (Tammy) Day of Bliss, NY; 17 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Tommy Day, in 2021; one granddaughter, Samantha Puvel, in 2011; and two sisters, LaVerne Shaw, in 2001 and Harriet Kingsley, in 2003.
The family will hold a memorial service for Lois at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Bradford Area Public Library, Futures Rehabilitation Center, CARE for Children or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com