Fanna Brown Proper

Fanna Proper, 98, of Athens, PA passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Robert Packer Hospital following a brief illness.

She was born in Sayre, PA, on October 25, 1926, the daughter of the late Bill and Beatrice Arnett.

Fanna lived in Athens her entire life. She was a graduate of Athens Area Schools and Penn State University, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Arts and Letters. She also took many graduate courses at Elmira College. From 1950 to 1968, Fanna became the Owner and Administrator of the Proper Convalescent Home in Athens, taking over for her grandmother who had passed away. She took a short leave of absence during 1953 to serve as Recreation Director for the US Air Force in Okinawa, Japan. In 1968, she sold the nursing home to work in the career that she loved and use her degree, Recreation and Creativity. She was employed with the libraires, throughout the area, including the Bookmobile. In the summer of 1969, she worked with the Athens Recreation Department, in developing a program for Creative Dynamics for playgrounds. Also in 1969, Fanna was appointed the Bookmobile Librarian of the Bradford-Wyoming Counties Library. The Bookmobile covered two counties – traveling over 10,000 miles to 18 School Buildings, 43 Libraries with over 2000 books. She was a part of the Bradford County Library, holding story time for the children, holding the attention of these young children by entertaining them as the story came forth. In 1975, Fanna passed her Professional Librarian Examination and received her Certificate of Public Librarianship. After all those accomplishments, Fanna was moved from the Bookmobile to become the Head Librarian of the Bradford County Library.

Fanna was an instrument in the Literacy Program in Bradford County. With her dedication and persistence, she was largely responsible for the library becoming the leading rural library system in Pennsylvania, even though Fanna would not take the credit. She was a very talented woman and was involved in many different areas over the years. She was very active with the Valley Players and filled many roles. She was the actress and director, a member of the Board of Directors, and Past President of the Valley Art Club. Over the years, Fanna knew that everyone she had met along her career, which never felt like it was a job as she truly loved what she was doing and all that she met along the way were like family to her.

Fanna is survived by her cousin Allyson Pipher of Baltimore, MC, and many dear friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on January 4, 2025 at 11am at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 703 South Main Street, Athens, PA. Fanna was well known for always wearing a hat. If all the ladies are able to, please, wear a hat in Fanna’s honor.

The family is being assisted by Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Athens, PA.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorial donations be made in Fanna’s name to the Trinity Episcopal Church, 703 South Main Street, Athens, PA 18810 or the Spaulding Memorial Library, 724 South Main Street #1, Athens, PA 18810 to continue Fanna’s legacy of love for learning.

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