Sandra Skipwith Bowen

1957 - 2024

Sandra Skipwith Bowen
11/06/1957 - 02/21/2024
Sandra Skipwith Bowen passed away on Wednesday, February 21, with her daughters by her side, following years of complications from a devastating stroke. A beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend, Sandra is now free from suffering. She was 66 years of age.
Sandra was born in Houston on November 6, 1957 to Dorrace Aleen Dominey and William Harvey Skipwith Jr. She attended St. John's School, the University of Texas, and the University of Houston. Growing up in Pine Shadows neighborhood of Houston, Sandra enjoyed playing with childhood friends, especially adventures along the bayou. Sandra lost both her parents by the time she was seventeen, a heartache from which she never fully recovered. Sandra was largely raised by Alice Griffin, the family's housekeeper and dear friend turned surrogate-mother and an instrumental part of Sandra's life.
In 1988, Sandra married Berry Dunbar Bowen. Together, they had two beautiful daughters, Susannah and Elizabeth, who were the light of her life. Sandra later married José Gross, and while their marriage only lasted a few years, José remained kind and caring to Susie and Lizzy.
Immensely talented and creative, Sandra was a gifted painter and writer: a true artist. She saw the world differently, and inspired those around her to do the same. She brought wonder and whimsy to her daughters' youth, and had a special love for all children. Stylish and elegant, Sandra loved playing dress-up with her daughters and always had a flair for the dramatic.
Sandra overcame many adversities in life and was a fighter. She cared deeply for others and had great compassion for those less fortunate, a quality she instilled in her girls.
Sandra is survived and deeply missed by her daughters Susie Tucker and Lizzy Bowen, along with their husbands Payson Tucker and Michael Hardy; sister Jeanne Skipwith; sister Betsy Clemons and husband Reed; grandchildren Eliot and Florence Tucker; nieces Callie Burns and Florence Conte; and nephew Skip Clemons.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Aaryn Hospice and Braeswood Estates for their loving care of Sandra, as well as the many friends who helped Sandra over the years.
A memorial gathering will take place on Wednesday April 3 at one o'clock in the afternoon at Pumpkin Park, 3600 Locke Lane, Houston, Texas 77027.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that contributions in her name be directed to Friends of Pumpkin Park (by mail: 3737 Buffalo Speedway #200 Houston, TX 77098) or the Houston SPCA (https://act.houstonspca.org/a/honor).