CYNTHIA LYNN BOWEN

BOWEN CYNTHIA LYNN BOWEN Cindy Bowen, beloved daughter of Rev. Bruce and Loyce Bowen, died July 10, 2015 at her parent's home after a gallant uncomplaining one and a half years of primary anaplastic astrocytoma brain cancer. She is survived by her parents; her brother David Bruce Bowen; sister-in-law Susan Monte Bowen and her very special niece Alexa Bowen. Cindy loved life, her family, her many friends, her caregivers and especially her professional life of 17 years at the Ivymount School in Rockville. Cindy was born on September 28, 1964, in Brockport, N.Y., where she attended kindergarten, then moved to Cape Cod, MA where she attended early elementary grades, and then to Silver Spring, MD, graduating from Paint Branch High School in 1982. Her BA was earned at Guilford College in North Carolina where she majored in criminal justice and psychology, graduating in 1986. Her junior year was spent at the University of London, England where she especially appreciated opportunities to attend various theatre offerings. In 1994 she received a Master of Arts degree, in Drama in Education from New York University with credits earned mostly in London. In 2012 she became a certified Drama Therapist. She began her working life at W. Bell & Co, as a part time employee in the Jewelry Dept. After college she took a summer internship with the DC Dept. of Parole. She also worked at a youth shelter and later in a Runaway Shelter. She was a hostess at the famous O'Donnell's Restaurant on Wisconsin Ave. But working with children and youth seemed to be the direction in which she wished to go vocationally, so she applied for a position at Ivymount School, working with developmentally challenged young people and that became her special joy. She loved the children and they in turn loved Cindy. She began as a crisis counselor, helping youth develop social skills and gain independence. She trained staff in crisis management, served as a transition coordinator working with students and parents in career planning and skills for job interviews. While at Ivymount, Cindy also wrote and directed plays, and musicals. She taught acting skills to adults and children with disabilities at The Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts now called Imagination Stage. Cindy was an extremely bright young lady, devouring the daily papers, constantly reading best sellers, always alert to the political scene and national priorities, and eager for the many travel opportunities she enjoyed with her adventurous spirit. She loved to cook and entertain friends, with her cheerful upbeat, buoyant personality, her wonderful wit and delightful laughter. Dogs were a special joy in Cindy's life, Muffin, Chloe, and Cosette, whom she trained and so loved with their unconditional love and companionship. Besides her recent primary brain cancer, Cindy, over the last twenty years had had other serious health issues, including Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, resulting in a bone marrow and later a stem cell transplant, followed by years of combating Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). Cindy always moved forward, never letting these health difficulties interfere with her continual learning in her chosen field, her joyful spirit ever shared with family and colleagues, and her faith that she was always able to solve problems and make significant contributions to others. Cindy and her family are so grateful to all the medical community that helped her on her way. Cindy's family and friends will celebrate her wonderful life on September 28 (her birthday) at 4 p.m. at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church, 10123 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, MD. In memory of Cindy read a good book, climb a mountain, sing a song, wear a hat and make up a story with a child. Some may want to contribute to The Noyes Children's Library Foundation, PO Box 31 Kensington, MD 20895 or Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept, PO Box 222, Kensington, MD 20895Cindy's family and friends will celebrate her wonderful life on September 28 (her birthday) at 4 p.m. at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church, 10123 Connecticut Ave., Kensington, MD. In memory of Cindy read a good book, climb a mountain, sing a song, wear a hat and make up a story with a child. Some may want to contribute to The Noyes Children's Library Foundation, PO Box 31 Kensington, MD 20895 or Kensington Volunteer Fire Dept, PO Box 222, Kensington, MD 20895