Marjorie Lois Dillon Bowman

Marjorie Lois Dillon Bowman, 93, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., died Friday, March 21, 2014, at her home with family at her side. She was born March 10, 1921, in Crown City, Ohio, the daughter of the late Hobart and Fern (Lanier) Dillon — direct descendants of the Dillon's who settled in the Gallia County area in 1723.

Marjorie was known for her deep affection for family and friends, with a unique ability to make each person feel special. Her daily spiritual devotions and faithful reading of Daily Word and Creative Thought magazines focused on such words as grateful, faith, family, letting go, comfort, kindness and love. Those values influenced her daily life.

Marjorie was a graduate of Gallia Academy High School in 1938, graduating with honors. She attended Ohio University with the passion and dream of becoming a journalist. She continued to write short stories throughout her life, which were often published. She wrote "Life is What Happens to You While You are Planning Something Else."

A resident of Oak Hill, Ohio, for many years, Marjorie was a member of the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, as well as Eastern Star. She was also active in the local PTA. As an accomplished ballroom dancer, often awarded by Arthur Murray Dance Studios in Ohio, her love of dancing continued into later years as a resident of Pompano Beach, Fla. Following in the footsteps of her father, Marjorie had a 20-year career in real estate after relocating to Florida.

Marjorie hosted Thanksgiving dinner for all of her six children and grandchildren for 36 consecutive years in different cities from coast to coast in the United States. Almost without exception, everyone attended. She was planning the Austin, Texas, Thanksgiving event for 2014. Her presence will be missed this Thanksgiving, but she will be presiding in spirit.

She is survived by her six children, Keith Bowman, Phil (Diana) Bowman, Charlotte (Richard) Sargeant, Rita (Richard) Edwards, Daniel Bowman and Brian (Sally) Bowman; her only sister Velma Rue; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and many cousins and countless friends she adored and respected.

A memorial service will be noon Friday, March 28, 2014, at The Center for Spiritual Living (The Science of Mind Center) with the Rev. Barbara Lunde officiating. Marjorie was a founding member of the center, served on the board and was appointed head of the practitioners.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made in the memory of Marjorie to the Center for Spiritual Living-Boca Raton, located at 2 SW 12 Ave., Boca Raton, FL 33486.

A future memorial celebration service is planned at the Crown City Cemetery in Ohio at noon Monday, May 26, 2014.