Sonda Kay "Kay" Bowden

KAY BOWDEN
January 1, 1957 – February 27, 2026

Sonda Kay Johnson Bowden "Kay," 69, passed away Friday, February 27. Born on January 1, 1957, in Dunn, North Carolina. Kay was the beloved daughter of Hubert and Sallie Johnson, of Angier, North Carolina. She graduated from South Johnston High School, Benson, North Carolina, in 1975.

Kay grew up in Angier, North Carolina, as the youngest of five siblings. She met Benny on a blind date when she was 14 and he was 17. They married on Father's Day, June 15, 1975, 11 days after she graduated from high school, and began a life filled with love, adventure, and fun. Their first son, Shane, was born in 1978, and their second son, Eric, was born in 1980.

Kay was a devoted supporter of her family and of Benny throughout his career. Their journey together took them to Florida, then to San Diego, California, before they planted deep roots in Rancho Santa Margarita. Once settled, she began a career of more than 20 years at the Palmia Senior Community and retired as Assistant General Manager, a role she truly cherished and in which she thrived.

Kay was a woman of many talents and gifts. She was an athlete who loved competition in all forms, whether watching sports with Benny, playing tennis, basketball, softball, bowling, and pickleball, fishing or joining in a lively family game of spoons. She loved to cook and was well known for her ribs, 10-layer chocolate cake, desserts, appetizers, peanut butter balls, and her incredible Thanksgiving spread. Travel also brought her great joy. She visited Paris, England, Italy, Mexico, and various parts of the United States, although her favorite trips were the 5-6 week visits to North Carolina that she and Benny began after retirement to spend time with family.

Kay loved fun and action and spent much of her time supporting her three granddaughters. From soccer and softball fields to recitals, music performances, birthday parties, sleepovers, birthday shopping trips, and even helping with Spanish homework, she was always present and supported unconditionally no matter the event. She loved being a mother and mother-in-law. She often beamed after time spent with her sons and their partners, holding a special place in her heart for each of them and frequently expressing how much she loved and appreciated them. She also treasured her extended family and looked forward to phone calls with her sister, brothers, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was a favorite to many.

She cherished her friends and enjoyed happy hours, hosting dinners, spa nights, splitting a meal, or talking on the phone. She was the true definition of a friend, and once you became her friend, you were her friend for life. When not with family, friends, or Benny, you could often find Kay gardening, feeding her hummingbirds, shopping at Kohl's, or enjoying the sunshine on her back porch.

Above all, Kay treasured the simplest moments with Benny, whether sipping wine on their patio, splitting lasagna at Peppino's, going to the gym, or taking a trip to Costco. She loved her Benny to the moon and back, and he loved her. Even in her final moments, each time he came to her bedside, she would reach out her hand for him to hold. Their marriage was the definition of true love.

Kay loved people wholeheartedly and consistently put others before herself. She was kind, loyal, patient, and loving, guided by her faith, and her laughter brought warmth to every room. Her life was defined by love and devotion to the people around her, and she found her greatest joy in being a wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, roles she cherished deeply and held close to her heart. The example she set through her kindness, strength, and unwavering commitment to family and friends will continue to guide those who knew her. Her loss leaves an immeasurable space in our hearts, but her love remains woven into our lives forever.

Visitation will be:
Wednesday March 11 th from 7:00-9:00 pm.
O'Connor Mortuary
25301 Alicia Pkwy
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Funeral services will be :
Thursday March 12 th at 10:00 am
Mountain View Church
32382 Del Obispo St.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Kay is survived by her husband and soulmate of 54 years, Benny Bowden; her sons, Shane Bowden (John Kilpatrick) of Lake Forest, CA; Eric Bowden (Joanna) of Mission Viejo, CA; granddaughters, Peyton Faith Bowden, Blayke Hope Bowden and Harper Charity Bowden of Mission Viejo, CA; her brothers, Linwood Johnson (Ginny) of New Bern, NC; Rodney Johnson (Joy) of Elizabeth City, NC; her sister, Beverly Johnson Gardner of Greenville, NC; sister-in-law, Ann Thomas Johnson of Wilson, NC; brothers-in-law, Phillip Bowden (friend Kay Strandell) of Willow Spring, NC; and Danny Bowden (Mandy) of Angier, NC; along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her dearly.

She was also preceded in death by her brother, Randy Johnson.

In lieu of flowers donations in Kay's honor may be made to Saddleback Church Food Pantry, 1 Saddleback Pkwy, Lake Forest, CA 92630-8700.

Condolences may be made to: https://www.oconnormortuary.com/obituaries/kay-bowden/