Eileen Bowton Gard

1918 - 2016

Gard Eileen Bowton Gard, 98, a long-time resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, August 9, 2016, with devoted family members by her side until the time of her transition to the loving arms of God. Born in 1918 in Trivoli, Illinois, Eileen loved family celebrations, Sunday brunch, talking politics, playing bridge, gardening, Ohio State Buckeyes football, PGA golf, and reading. She believed deeply in education, and sponsored educational opportunities for many individuals. She especially enjoyed visits, hugs and kisses from family and friends, and cherished her husband, Harry. Eileen's life was filled with strength, humor, a loving nature and many friends and family who loved her dearly. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Harry Kendrick Gard, and her brothers Donald Bowton and Kenneth Bowton. Eileen is survived by her children, Ellen Gard Winterbottom, Julia Gard Wilkins and her husband, Jeffrey M. Wilkins, Lynne Gard Poston and her husband, John Poston, Harry Kendrick Gard, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly Williams Gard. She was blessed with a very large family including grandchildren and great grandchildren, Ann Ackerman (Taylor (Karla) Sturtz, Audrey and Ethan Ackerman), Christine Bren, Psy.D. (Stefan, Avery), Jill Demko and her husband, Tom (Miles, Mason), Timothy Winterbottom, Lisa Wilkins Doran and her husband, Andrew Thomas, M.D. (Michael and Julia Doran, Jacob Thomas), Laura Wilkins Cooke and her husband, Christopher (Christine, Caroline, Emma, Elizabeth), Jeffrey Gard Wilkins and his wife, Ashley (Alexander, Spencer, Lucy), Griffin Gard, John D. Poston and his wife, Amanda, Margaret Poston Northup and her husband, John (Ellie, Anders); Elloise Gard, M.D., nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Eileen's family would like to thank the amazing doctors and nurses at The OSU Wexner Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be sent to The Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, Columbus, OH 43220, or to the OSU Wexner Medical Center. The memorial service will be held at Westminster Thurber, 777 Neil Avenue, Columbus, on Saturday, August 20, at 10 a.m., and a Celebration of Life will be held the same day at Scioto Country Club, 2196 Riverside Dr, Upper Arlington, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL