Sandra “Sandy” Lough Towberman died peacefully the morning of May 29th, 2024, in Palliative Care at UPMC Hospital McCandless, Pittsburgh, PA. She is from Butler, PA. She was serving as the Pastor of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grove City, PA at the time of her death. Members of her family were with her during her last days before God called her home to Heaven. She loved the Lord, her family, and the Church with all her heart.
She was born in Harrisonburg, VA on April 12, 1946. She grew up in nearby Elkton and graduated from Elkton High School as a member of the class of 1960. She graduated from the University of Richmond in Richmond, VA and from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH. In 1967, she married Rev. Alden W. Towberman.
Pastor Sandy was ordained on June 3, 2013, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Butler, PA by Bishop John Bradosky. She and Pastor Carl Hendrickson served together at Springdale Lutheran Church and then these last six years as Pastor at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grove City, PA.
She was an avid birdwatcher, musician, artist, writer, poet, and Bible gardener, and wrote two small books about Bible Gardening and about Mary, the Mother of God. She presented programs at churches and to community groups about Bible Gardening, Mary the Mother of God, and the Ministry of Angels. As a learner and teacher, she led The Mid-Northeast Mission District Clergy and Lay Ministers Text, Prayer and Support Group most Tuesday mornings during the year.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. Dr. Alden W. Towberman, and their daughter, Reverend Tiffany Towberman, and her children, Nolan, Grace Anne, and Prophecy; her brother, Dr. Tom Lough, and his wife, Posy; nephew, Kyser Lough, and his wife, Stephanie Butler; brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas Towberman, and his wife, Wanda; in addition to many cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Alice “Bunny” Lough.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Services will be held at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 819 Columbia Ave, Grove City, PA on Saturday, June 8th, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 819 Columbia Ave, Grove City, PA on Friday, June 7th, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, Inc. in Butler is overseeing arrangements.
The family suggests memorial gifts in lieu of flowers.
All who knew Pastor Sandy are encouraged to share memories and upload photos to her unique remembrance page at www.thompson-miller.com.