Mary Waddell Bowen

BOWEN, Mary Waddell, a career teacher, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on Saturday September 25, 2010, at the age of 84. She was born in Drakes Branch, Virginia, on January 18, 1926, the daughter of the late William Emmett and Mabel Bragg Waddell of Charlotte County. Mary was preceded in death by her brothers, William Waddell Jr., Carroll Waddell and Samuel Waddell. Mrs. Bowen was a graduate of Longwood College and taught at Randolph Henry High School for several years before moving to Richmond. She then taught at Meadowbrook High School for 20 years, where she was the business department chairman, and was selected the Metro Area Business Teacher of the Year in 1977. She also worked with adult education at night in Henrico County Public Schools. After retiring, Mary worked in the library at Hermitage Technical Center for several years and was a longtime volunteer with the Henrico County libraries and Henrico Doctors' Hospital on Parham Road. Mrs. Bowen is survived by two children, Diane Hardy of Youngsville, N.C. and Bruce Bowen (Susan) of Mechanicsville, Va.; and a sister, Mabel Bowen of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Kevin Dillistin (Leigh Anne) of Youngsville, N.C., Brandon Dillistin of Lancaster, Va., Lt. Carter Bowen of San Diego, Calif. and Meredith Bowen of Mechanicsville, Va.; a great-grandson, Weston Dillistin of Youngsville, N.C. The family will receive friends at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street, Glen Allen on Monday, September 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. A private burial will be held in Charlotte County, Va. In Lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Twin Hickory Library in Glen Allen, Va., 5001 Twin Hickory Rd., Glen Allen, Va. 23059. The family would like to thank Bon Secours Hospice.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.