Marguerite Lane Bowden

BOWDEN, Marguerite L. , Kettering resident for 65+ years, and native of Mineral Ridge, OH, passed away peacefully from complications of pneumonia on Friday, April 1, 2011 at Kettering Hospital at 10:31pm. Affectionately called "Mamma B" or Marge by her husband and some close friends, Marguerite has been a shining example for many, utilizing her talents and energy for all things good. This is a woman who would drop everything on a moment's notice to respond to the needs of a family member or friend, or just to do something fun like "have lunch." She has travelled the world, sailed on the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, shared her gift of music with thousands, baked hundreds of pies, cheered on the team at countless sporting events and rarely missed a game or performance of her children and grandchildren. To recount - following graduation with honors from the College of Wooster and after 3 years teaching in northeastern OH, Marguerite married high school sweetheart, John Robert Bowden (deceased), also from Mineral Ridge, moved to the Dayton area in the 1940s and lived in Kettering for the next 65+ years. From this union came six children: Robert Joe (Wooster 1966), Charlane (Iowa Wesleyan 1968), James Roger (Earlham 1971), Richard Logan (Taylor 1974), Christine (Heidelberg 1976), Cynthia (Butler 1983), 5 of them teachers by trade, 3 are principals, 1 follows a business career and teaches yoga and all but 1 have masters degrees. Marguerite lived life to the fullest: a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, musician, teacher, choral director, community volunteer and faithful member of her church. She was charter member and served in various capacities over the years including organist, ordained elder, deacon, and trustee of Fairmont Presbyterian Church, Kettering (1945-2011) Choir Director at Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church, Kettering, (1969-2001), Director of Dayton Music Appreciation Choral Club (1960-2011), Director/Accompanist of Kettering Mothersingers (1953-2011), founding member and percussionist in Kettering Civic Band (1959 - 2011), White Chapel Bell Ringers (1958-1985)' Dayton Music Club (1987-2011), Friends of Ballet 1970-1980, Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity (1966-2011), Dayton Choirmasters Club, American Choral Directors Association. With husband John R Bowden, named Citizen of the year in 1981 by Kettering Kiwanis Club. She is survived by son Robert Joe Bowden and wife Kaaran of Barnhart, MO; daughter Charlane Bowden and partner Sunny Eldridge of Hinckley, OH; son James Roger Bowden and wife Carol of Sevilla, Spain; son Richard Logan Bowden and wife Karan of Kettering, OH; daughter Cynthia Bowden Stafford and husband Lance of Aurora, IN; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and a great granddaughter on the way who will carry her namesake, Ellie Lane Bowden (daughter to David Radford Bowden and wife Katie). In addition to her parents, Marguerite was preceded in death by dear husband "Bowdy" John Robert Bowden; daughter Christine Bowden Harris of Kettering; brother Joseph O Lane of Mineral Ridge OH; and sister Charlotte Flickinger of Canfield. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering. Funeral Service 10:30am Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Fairmont Presbyterian Church, 3705 Far Hills Ave., Dayton, OH 45429. Burial at Kerr Cemetery, Mineral Ridge OH. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairmont Presbyterian Church and ALS Association, 1275 K St. NW- Ste. 1050 Washington D.C 20005. Condolences can be sent to Routsong.com