Lois A. Westgate

Lois A. Westgate, 84, passed away peacefully at home on February 17, 2021. She was predeceased by her parents, Leo and Leona Stanton and her four siblings, Ronald, Doris (Mayo), Lynn, and James Stanton.

She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Paul Westgate; her children David & Patricia E. Westgate, Michael Westgate, and Patricia L. Westgate & husband Kenneth Normile; grandchildren Daniel & Jenny Westgate, Stephen Westgate & Jes, William Westgate, Jonathan & Alicia Westgate, and Isaac Normile; and great-grandchildren Alexander, Nicholas, Braeleigh, Griffin, and Sybil; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was devoted to her family and will be greatly missed by them all. Lois was born in Shehawken, PA on August 11, 1936 and moved to the Binghamton area with her family as a young wife. She worked very hard as an adult student to earn her AA in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Broome, her B.A. in Sociology from Binghamton University, and her Master of Social Work from Marywood University. Lois worked a variety of jobs since she was a teen but was most proud of her careers as a teacher and a social worker. She was both an instructor and director at the Riverside Drive Nursery School. Lois went on to help hundreds of children through her social work career at Broome County Social Services, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Chenango Valley School District, and her own private practice. She was also involved in many nonprofit organizations that helped the young. Lois had many interests including travel, gardening, reading, cats, politics, and feminism. She marched for Women's Rights locally as well as in Albany, NY and Washington, DC. One of her greatest passions was writing, which she pursued all of her life through journals, writing for local publications such as the Binghamton University Lyceum Newsletter and “Our Voices” Magazine, and working with her beloved writing group. Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in the Shehawken Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider memorial contributions in Lois’ name to The Children’s Home of Wyoming Conference, 1182 Chenango Street, Binghamton, NY 13901.