Ann Marie Bowen

Bowen, Ann Marie
Our most beloved Ann Marie Bowen passed away peacefully in Cambria, CA on September 12, 2012 at the age of 89. Ann was born in Byrnedale, PA on June 20, 1923, the 3rd of 9 children, to Peter and Stephina Morris. Her father was a Polish immigrant who worked in the coalmines, and her mother was a first generation American who died at 39. In June of 1946, Ann married Emilio Bonanno and had two daughters: Linda Marie and Nancy Marie. In 1953 she married Kenneth Lee, who adopted her daughters, and in 1960 the family moved from Erie, PA to Tempe, AZ. Ann was employed by Motorola until she retired in 1986. She was a skilled electronic assembler and worked on various high tech government projects, including a receiver for NASA's Gemini program. She was an independent woman who worked hard, owned her home outright, and always paid her own way. Ann pursued many hobbies and interests during her life. She loved to dance, paint, crochet, and travel. She was devoted to her family and loved to spend time with them playing games, taking family vacations, and having family dinners. She was famous in the family for her delicious Rigatoni dinners! She loved going to Las Vegas and New Orleans and was always anticipating her next trip. Ann set an example of kindness and generosity. Through the years, she welcomed to her home siblings, children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Any time a family member needed help, she was the first to offer them a chance to get back on their feet. She had a wonderful sense of humor and that fine quality of being able to laugh at oneself. In February of 2007, she suffered a stroke during a medical procedure. Although she lost the ability to be independent, she did not lose her ability to laugh or to love and enjoy her family. She is preceded in death by all but one of her siblings, her younger sister Bertha Morris of Salem, Oregon. She is survived by her daughters Linda Smart (John) of Cambria, California and Nancy Hood (Steve d.) of Las Vegas, NV; her five grandchildren, Michael Robert Zent, Elena Zent Haley, Shayne Hood Scroggins, Steven Tyler Hood, and Jamey Hood; and her seven great-grandchildren, Zachary Zent, Taylor Scroggins, Harley Scroggins, Allison Hood, Lucas Zent, and Erik and Brandon Bodine. She was deeply loved and cherished by her family and will be always in their hearts. Memorial Services will be held at Double Butte Cemetery in Tempe, AZ on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 11am.