Don and Marjie Mowery are life-long Carlisle residents tracing their families back several generations in Cumberland County. They have been married for 46 years and have two adult children, Lisa Mowery Clark and Dr. Andrew Mowery and four grandchildren. Both Marjie and Don graduated from Carlisle High School in 1969. Marjie is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a BA in Social Work. Don graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia and is a Registered Professional Engineer.
Don has been the third generation Owner of R. S. Mowery & Sons a regional construction firm involved in many major building projects in central Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Raymond S. Mowery, founded the company in 1925. Don started as a Laborer in 1967 and recently retired upon the sale of the firm.
Marjie’s employment has included Drexel University Library, Carlisle Area School District Special Education Department, R. S. Mowery & Sons, and Fisher, Mowery, Rosendale & Associates Surveying & Engineering.
Music has been an important and consistent part of their lives. In High School, both were members of the Carlisle High School Marching Band and the Concert Band. Their “courtship” began during the Band’s 1967 trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both of their children spent four years in the CHS Band with Marjie and Don very active in the Band Boosters as well as serving as Trip Chaperones. Don was Band Booster President for two years. Don took piano lessons from Phyllis Shambaugh Meenan, has played in the CHS Alumni Band, and sings in his Church Men’s Chorus. And, a new generation, their ten-year-old grandson, has recently taken up the cornet.
Both Marjie and Don believe strongly in community service and supporting a wide range of organizations and services. Marjie’s community service has included Band Booster Board Secretary, Bosler Library Board Secretary, Friends of the Bosler Treasurer, American Association of University Carlisle Branch President and PA AAUW Board, YWCA Board, First United Church of Christ Fellowship Council and United Way committees.
Don’s activities have included Boy Scout Troop 160; Board service with Carlisle Day Care Center and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and the Bosler Library Capital Campaign Cabinet. His business organizations have included Carlisle Chamber of Commerce – Board and past Chair, Capital Region Economic Development Corporation – Board and past Chair, Pennsylvania Associated Builders and Contractors – Board and past Chair, and Carlisle Area Industrial Development Corporation – Board. The Cumberland County Commissioner appointed him as a founding member of the County Agricultural Land Preservation Board on which he served twenty-five years including six years as Chairman. Don currently serves on the F & M Trust Board of Directors. His professional affiliations include the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Construction Specifications Institute. He is an Elder at First United Church of Christ having served as Consistory Treasurer, Vice President and President.
Marjie and Don’s community service and support has been recognized by Leadership Cumberland Distinguished Service Award, Bosler Heritage Society, Philanthropist of the Year by Central Pennsylvania Chapter–Association of Fundraising Professionals, and Pennsylvania United Way philanthropic recognition.
Musically, they have been supporters of the Carlisle Town Band, Cantate Carlisle, and the Harrisburg Symphony. Support of the Arts has included CPYB, Carlisle Theatre, and the Carlisle Arts Learning Center. The Mowerys have been consistent benefactors to numerous community organizations including United Way, Project Share, Salvation Army, Samaritan Fellowship, Maranatha, James Wilson Safe Harbor, Carlisle Cares, and Hope Station.
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