It is with great sadness we share our loss of a special lady: Lenore Wilma Pogan, 91, of Wadsworth passed away at Summa Health System – Barberton Campus on Thursday, March 1, 2018. She was born July 21, 1926 in Henrietta, Ohio to the late Harold and Flossie (Kropf) Buchs.
She grew up on a family farm in Henrietta, Ohio, just outside of Oberlin, where her lifelong love of cats also began. She chronicled some of the unique experiences of 1930’s farm life in a book she wrote entitled “My Life as a Farmer’s Daughter.” At age 4, she lost her mother in a car accident.
Lenore was a graduate of Henrietta High School (now Firelands District) and graduated from M. B. Johnson School of Nursing in Elyria, Ohio in 1947.
In 1949 she fell in love with Emil Pogan, and they were married in the Henrietta Methodist Church. After moving to Wadsworth, Ohio, she became an active member of Wadsworth United Methodist Church where her activities included: Lay Leader, Lay Speaker, Chairperson of many Ministry Teams, Delegate to Conference, a member of United Methodist Women, Past President, District Board Member, 10 year Circle Chairperson, and United Methodist Woman of the Year. For years she also sang in the choir and participated in the ladies’ quilting group. Along with Rev. Foster, she began the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner held at the Church, and the annual Celebration of Life to honor those aged 75 and over. A warm and friendly person, she tried to make everyone she met at church feel special.
She enjoyed playing Bridge and other games, going to lunch with friends, and challenging her grandchildren to competitive games of Scrabble. She was an avid reader and devoted follower of Fox News. She loved to discuss current events, especially politics. Those that knew her, experienced her love for good food and cooking. She was also actively involved in the Wadsworth community, as a past member of the Garden Club of Wadsworth and Wadsworth Women’s Club and as a volunteer in a variety of local activities. Since her childhood she always knew she wanted to be a nurse, and her career as a Registered Nurse lasted nearly 45 years. Her many nursing roles included clinical instructor for nursing students, staff nurse, head nurse, and nursing supervisor. She retired from Wadsworth-Rittman Hospital in 1991, but continued to volunteer there until this past fall.
She was preceded in death by her husband Emil Pogan in 2004, her parents, stepmother Viola (Farmer) Buchs, brothers Keith (Franci/Virginia), Bernie (Phyllis), James (June), and sister Helen (Ralph) Budweg.
Lenore is survived by her children Scott (Kim) Pogan, Diane (Terrence) Henzey, Peggy Pogan, and Bruce Webster.
She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Erin (Chris) Lett, Michael (Carmi) Henzey, Sam Peterman, and Kolby Gospodinsky; her adorable great grandchildren Elias Peterman, Terrence Henzey II, Noelle Lenora Lett, and Michael Henzey II; her brother-in-law Ralph Budweg, many wonderful nieces, nephews and extended family members, plus a host of dear friends including Laurie and John Pierrot. Her warmth, generosity, and never ending energy will be greatly missed.
Funeral service will be conducted Saturday, March 10 at 12:00 PM at the Wadsworth United Methodist Church, 195 Broad St., Wadsworth, Ohio where the family will receive friends two hours prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 12;00 PM
Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Henrietta United Methodist Church, 52148 Telegraph Rd, Amherst, OH 44001, or Wadsworth United Methodist Church.