May 19 2018: BOWEN, Mary Ann Dolora

Mary Ann Dolora Bowen (Age 81)

 

On Monday, May 14, 2018, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of 60 years to John Donnell Bowen; mother of Michelle Marie Bowen, Cheryl Ann Diday (Jeffrey), Donnelle Dolora Dintino (Kevin), and David Donnell Bowen; grandmother of Connor and Griffen Diday, and Caileigh and Gabriella Dintino; sister of Michael McLaughlin, the late Katherine Bognar and the late Norine Hughes. She is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews. Mary Ann was a woman of commitment to her country, family and community. Born in Scranton, PA to the late Michael Kenneth McLaughlin and Honore McDermott, she left her home of Scranton, PA, to serve in the Women’s Army Corps from 1954-1957. While stationed at Ft. Benning, GA headquarters, she met John in 1955. After marrying in 1958, she and John moved to New Bedford, MA, where she worked for Berkshire Hathaway as an executive secretary. From 1961 to 1969, they lived in Dayton, Ohio, where they started their family and Mary Ann began life as a stay at home mom. Upon moving to Montgomery County in 1969, she became active in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church as a religious education teacher. As a strong advocate for children’s education, she served in various leadership roles in local and state level PTA, where she received their highest award as an Honorary Life Member in 1988. During the 1990’s she worked as an administrative aide to Montgomery County Council Member, Marilyn Praisner. After retiring, Mary Ann became active as an associate member of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, honoring her brother-in-law, Edgar J. Bowen who served in that famous battle during World War II. Over the years, she held office as Secretary for the national organization and served as co-chair for a number of the groups reunions, including the one in conjunction with the dedication of the National World War II memorial. She also co-chaired the annual Battle of the Bulge commemoration event of the start of the battle held each December in Washington, DC. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd West, Silver Spring, MD (Valet Parking), Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, May 21, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 12319 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Interment will take place at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA, 22172 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Battle of the Bulge Assoc, PO Box 27430, Philadelphia, PA 19118-0430, MCCPTA, PO Box 10754, Rockville, MD 20849 or your local PTA.

 

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