Louise “Louann” Gorham
The sun shines a little brighter over Mill City as family and friends celebrate the life of Louise Gorham, who passed away peacefully on Sunday morning. Known to her loved ones as Louann, she captured the smiles of her children and grandchildren and the natural beauty of her hometown (especially barns) through her passion for photography. Her spirit often filled the room with a sense of fun, whether she was making intricate Halloween costumes out of paper mache, dancing with her husband or orchestrating elaborately-themed birthday parties with homemade decorations and cakes. Louann loved spending hours in her garden; her family, friends and neighbors look forward to seeing her flowers bloom this spring.
Born in Scranton, daughter of the late Oliver P. and Louise Watkins Clark, Louann moved to Mill City when she was in the 8th grade. After graduating from Falls Overfield High School, Class of 1963, Louann received a scholarship from the United Methodist Conference to study nursing at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. She was the first in her family to receive a university-level degree, with strong support from her mother and brothers. She graduated in 1966. Louann spent more than 30 years of her nursing career working in the intensive care unit at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock.
Louann is survived by her husband of 49 years, Robert Gorham. She was fiercely devoted to her four children and three grandchildren: Luke and wife Ann, New Milford, PA; Josh and partner Miranda, Seattle, WA; Jessica and her plus one John, Nairobi, Kenya; Victor and wife Tina, Lake Winola, PA; grandchildren Sarah, Emily, and Sophia. She is also survived by her brother Thomas G. Clark of Mill City, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by two brothers, Warren G. and Perry O. Clark, and a grandson Xavier Gorham.
Even though her children did not always live close by, she always let them know that they were loved through her frequent letters and cards, handwritten with a ruler. She updated them on her latest exploits with the Ugly Quilters at the United Methodist Church, photo entries at the Wyoming County Fair and latest discoveries while studying the lives and times of the Falls Overfield High School student body. These letters and cards will remain as symbols of her unabashed dedication to those she loved.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 am from the Lake Winola United Methodist Church. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Friends may call at the Church on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wyoming County Cancer Society, PO Box 629, Tunkhannock, Pa. 18657. On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com.
