Elizabeth Rosemary Bowman

BOWMAN, Elizabeth Rosemary.

Betty was born at Clemens (near Cereal), Alberta on April 5, 1916 and died at Devonshire Care Centre in Edmonton on May 14, 2017. She will be missed by her children Jim and Kathleen, son-in-law David Kinloch, and her two granddaughters Mary King (Sheldon) and Bridget Kinloch (Stu). She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Alexander (Sandy) Bowman, who died in 2009, and by her two siblings, Jack and Joan.

Betty’s parents, English immigrants E.V. and Marion Riddle, homesteaded in a dry, barren, and isolated part of Alberta. In 1924 the family was happy to move to the Rocky Mountain House district, where they were close to neighbors and could enjoy forests, rivers, and a view of the mountains. Betty’s family valued education, and she completed Grade 12, which was considered an achievement at that time. In the early 1940’s she moved to Edmonton to work as a bookkeeper for the provincial government. After World War II she met Air Force veteran Sandy Bowman and they married in 1948. Jim and Kathy soon came along. Betty was well-read and perceptive and she enjoyed gardening and needlework. She was active in church, Home and School, and bowling. Once her children were grown up, she took delight in returning to employment in a Government of Alberta office during the era of the cybernetic revolution.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 6210 – 188 Street, at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 20. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to St. Matthias or the charity of your choice.