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Ruth Bowers Obituary

BOWERS
RUTH MCLEAN BOWMAN BOWERS
Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers died Friday, April 19, 2013. She was born in 1920 and spent her childhood in Beaumont, later moving to San Antonio with her parents, Verna and Marrs McLean in the early 1930's. She graduated from St. Mary's Hall in San Antonio and Finch College in New York City. Throughout her life she was involved in community, philanthropy, social and political affairs, serving on many boards including as Regent of the Texas Woman's University in Denton, Trinity University, St. Mary's Hall, Sunshine Cottage, San Antonio Symphony, Witte Museum, Volunteer Service Bureau, Planned Parenthood, The National Board of the Abortion Rights Action League as well as the Texas State Board. She was appointed to the Governor's Commission on Women, was founder and District Commissioner of the San Antonio Pony Club, and was on the Board of the Texas Hunter & Jumper Association. Among the honors she received: Trustee Emeritus of St. Mary's Hall and recipient of the St. Mary's Hall 1986 Distinguished Alumnae Award. The Texas Women's Political Caucus gave her their Woman of the Year Award for 1990, and she received the "Ginny Whitehill Grass Roots' Activism" award for 1992. Other awards she received include the Non-Profit Resource Center's "Spirit of Philanthropy Award 2001, the Humanitarian Award from the National Jewish Medical and Research Center 2002, the St. Mary's Hall Founder's Day Award 2003, Our Reach for the Stars "Star" from Network Power of Texas 2005, Honorary Board of Directors for the Alamo Women and Family Health Information Network 2005. In 2006 Ruth received "Outstanding Philanthropist" from the Association of Fundraising Professionals and in 2007 the San Antonio Women's Chamber of Commerce "Voice and Vision" Award as well as San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame Award for Civic Leadership (Philanthropist and Women's Advocate). UTSA Women's Studies Institute made her their 2008 Women's Advocate of the Year. Her generous philanthropy includes the founding gift to the "Women's Legacy Initiative" of the United Way, the endowments of the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Chair for Breast Cancer Research and Treatment at UTHSC, the Cyclotron wing of the Research Imaging Center at UTHSC which is named in her honor and the Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Laboratory for the advancement of Neuroscience Research. She was the Honorary Chair of the Capital Campaign for the Cancer Therapy and Research Center, Trinity University's Women's Studies Resource Center and Women's History Month's Visiting Professor are also among her named gifts. The Baylor College of Medicine Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has a Professorship in her name and she has funded the Excellence in Research Award to be given to the top researchers each year. Ruth has funded development of a promising drug from For Good Health (FGH) BioTech, Inc. that will control obesity and add other health benefits. Others who have benefited from her support include the Family Violence Prevention Service, the Battered Women's Shelter, Girl's Inc., and the Children's Shelter. She financed and supported the Roe vs. Wade case that went before the United States Supreme Court. She also supported the Girl Scouts, the Witte Museum, the McNay Art Museum, the Briscoe Western Art Museum, Our House, the Santa Rosa Children's Hospital and the Texas Nature Conservancy. She was devoted to her Almamater, Saint Mary's Hall and funded their Early Child Care Center, Library Complex and Science Building. She was a member of the Assembly, The Battle of Flowers Association, The Charity Ball Association, San Antonio Junior League, San Antonio Women's Forum, The San Antonio 100, National Organization for Women, San Antonio Women's Political Caucus and the Veteran Feminists of America. She was also a supporter of the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Ruth's primary interest was always in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was never a conformist and since a child she was consumed by a desire to fight discrimination in any form and thus devoted her life to equal opportunity for all. Not only was she a world traveler and patron of the Arts and Education, but she was an outdoorsman, who loved to ride her horses, swim in the rivers and hunt. Ruth owned ranches in South Texas, the Hill Country and the Trans Pecos areas as well as a lychee farm in Hawaii. The family's deepest gratitude goes to her loving caregivers: Socorro Fontaine, Maria and Carlos Gomez, Gwen Marshall, Sonia Rivera, Tangie Carroll and Laura Mendez. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jack T. Bowman and William O. Bowers. Ruth Bowers is survived by her children, Marrs McLean Bowman and his wife, Marianne, Bonnie Bowman Korbell and her husband, John, Ruth Bowman Russell and John Russell, Jr., Beth Bowman Harper and her husband, Michael, Margaret Bowman McMahon and her husband, James, and Barbara Bowman. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be sent to Saint Mary's Hall, Planned Parenthood of San Antonio or the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at UTHSC.
A Celebration of her Life will be held for close friends and family.

You are invited to sign
the guestbook at
www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with:



Published by San Antonio Express-News from Apr. 22 to Apr. 24, 2013.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth Bowers

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Although I did not know her my uncle James and Aunt Martha from the 101 Ranch in Alpine always spoke very highly of her and her family. When I was a little girl it was nice to go and visit my Uncle and Aunt on such a nice ranch. Thank you to her and her family for giving my uncle and aunt a job and allowing us to visit our uncle and aunt on the 101 ranch in Alpine. I will always hold each of you on a pedestal. I am so sorry for your loss.

Karen Long

September 28, 2016

Deepest condolences to all Mrs. Bowers family and friends. Mamasita will always be remembered for her gracefulness, her kindness and how she shared so much happiness. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Tim McMahon

May 10, 2013

The staff of American Cancer Fund™ at www.AmericanCancerFund.org is sorry to hear of Ruth's passing. We have just received a memorial donation in her name and our sincere condolences go out to her family.

S Lerer

May 5, 2013

Pax vobiscum.

Hester Ann White

April 30, 2013

May God be with you during this difficult time...Mark 10:27.

April 30, 2013

My deepest sympathies to the family. It was a pleasure knowing her.
Deborah Gittinger-Teacher
Saint Mary's Hall

April 29, 2013

What a class act! An Exemplary example of a truly "Texas" Lady!
McClean, Bonnie, Ruthie, Margaret, and Barbara, we all wish that time spent with those we love could last forever....and in our hearts, it will.
We love all you great Bowmans and remember the fun times we had with you many years ago swimming & fishing at Paint Creek and shooting and working cattle at Marfa. Love Judy Yeates Lee and Kyle Yeates

Judy Yeates Lee

April 26, 2013

My deepest sympathy is extended to the family of Ruth McLean Bowers. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Frederica Wyatt

April 26, 2013

The contributions of this one woman to the world are overwhelming and inspiring. My sympathy to her family. What a tremendous loss to all of us.

Linda Dorsey

April 25, 2013

Rest in Peace

kannan alpadi

April 24, 2013

I want to share my admiration for Mrs. Bowers with her family. Her vision, generosity and commitment are very much appreciated by the members of the education and research community. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Bowers' family.
Susan Rosenberg
Professor, Molecular and Human Genetics and
Verna and Mars McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Baylor College of Medicine

April 24, 2013

My heart goes out to all of you as you go through this difficult time. Although I never met Ruth Bowers, I have know so much about her through her good deeds and through her children. She will be remembered by many with love. Kathleen Sommers

kathleen sommers

April 24, 2013

I want to send my love to each one of Ruth's children, Bonnie, McLean, Ruthie, Beth Margaret and Barbara, I will always remember your mother as such an elegant, athletic , sporty, cool lady that I was fortunate enough to get to spend a lot of my life with!!! What a wonderful legacy she has left in all of you wonderful Bowmans! I will never forget her and how much my parents loved her too!!! Much love, your old friend Julie B CROSSWELL

April 23, 2013

An inspiration to many. She will be missed.

Linda Richards

April 23, 2013

Home at last, may you rest in peace.

(Medical Assistant from Dr. Campbells office)

Pam Holmberg

April 23, 2013

Ruth was a bright, caring woman, who made the world a much better place. We will miss her.

Larry Macon

April 23, 2013

Ruth was a wonderful woman. However , I knew her as a kind friend as well, who took me under her wing. A stroke of luck let me spend my girlhood in the company of her children. It was my destiny to find myself blessed. I have never forgotten her kindness and love while swimming at Paint Creek Ranch and sleeping outside in balmy air on the porch and capturing unwary catfish from our canoe. Just being in her presence was enough to let my deams fly and to be protected and happy. I felt that I was another daughter and she let me share my life with hers.From learning to ride a horse to unlimited fishing secrets, she was my guide. I have held these many memories close to my heart as treasures which I will never forget. It is my hope that one day we will meet again be united by her tenderness and caring. It was a priviledge to have known her in my life and it is my hope that she will meet me in lands of indian caves and dancing waters and sunsets where we both can play. Ruth was truly a remrkable woman . I will never forget her.

Alex Lambros Dorn

alex lambros dorn

April 22, 2013

I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Bowers years ago in my saddle shop. She was ever so elegant as her writing to be. We are all very fortunate to have known her.

Charlie Thomas

April 22, 2013

A remarkable lady and leader. We will miss her greatly & appreciate her many contributions to making our world a better place for all.

Cina Forgason

April 22, 2013

My grieving for Ruth has been extended over recent years with her absence from the activities that meant so much to her. She continues in my heart as a very special star.

Ruth Stewart

April 22, 2013

Ruth changed the lives of women around the world through her numerous contributions in support of equality for women. Her funding of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court litigation brought recognition that women have a constitutionally guaranteed right to make their own decisions regarding reproductive matters. This recognition began a sea change across the world. She was always there to help in support of improving the lives of women and children. She made so many contributions to improving the lives of all. Thank you Ruth, you are a tremendous inspiration. Our thought are with you and your family.

Patricia Smothers

April 22, 2013

The gates of heaven did not need to be opened for this lovely lady. The lord has been waiting for her a long time. He has received his precious gift.

Mike @ Sharon Kidd

April 22, 2013

Ruth was such a beautiful, caring women and love by all that met her.

Monica Gose

April 22, 2013

Unable to join you in Texas on Wednesday, but will be there in spirit and with cherished memories and gratitude to have had Ruth in our lives. Much love and sympathy to all, Rafael

April 22, 2013

An amazing Texas woman. A great great loss to so many. One of my most favorite ever. Riding at Paint Creek and hunting seashells in Port Aransas will never be forgotten. Deepest sympathy to all the Bowman Bowers families. Love, Caroline Duncan Bradshaw

Caroline Duncan Bradshaw

April 22, 2013

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