Eleanor Charlotte Smith Bowles

Eleanor Charlotte Smith Bowles

Naples, FL

Eleanor Charlotte Smith Bowles, a resident of the Inn at Aston Gardens in Naples and formerly of Lewisville, Texas, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018.

A dedicated cat lover, late-in-life dog lover, proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, and devoted mother and grandmother, she used up the last of her nine lives in her 90th year.

Born in Chicago to Ruth Kristufek Smith and Elmer C. Smith, Eleanor was the youngest of four children. She graduated from Fenger High School and worked in the insurance industry in Chicago before joining the Navy.

While stationed in New Orleans, she met Thomas M. Bowles, a slim, handsome, blue-eyed blond chief petty officer from Oklahoma, who swept her off her feet -- literally, as they fell in love while dancing the jitterbug. They married and went wherever the Navy sent Tom, including trips to Havana, Cuba, and postings in Norfolk, Virginia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and the New York City/New Jersey area. When Tom retired from the Navy, the family -- which by then included daughters Victoria and Valerie -- moved to Lewisville, Texas, near Dallas, where Eleanor managed the home while Tom had a second career in private business.

When Eleanor was widowed in 2011 after almost 61 years of marriage, she moved to Aston Gardens in Naples with her calico cat Phoebe and made many dear friends in both the independent and assisted living communities.

She was predeceased by her husband, Tom Bowles; older brothers Elmer Smith of Lansing, Ill., and Herbert of Schaumberg, Ill.; and sister Dorothy, who died at birth.

Eleanor will be buried in Texas with her husband, and there will be no memorial service.

Survivors include daughters Victoria Bowles (Clarke Blacker) of Fort Myers and Valerie Bowles (Steven Harding) of Austin, Texas; granddaughter Lydia Harding Harrison (Jon Harrison) of Austin; sister-in-law Alice Smith of Schaumburg, Ill.; brothers-in-law Jerry Bowles of Eclectic, Alabama, and Patrick Bowles of Flint, Texas; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to the residents and staff of Aston Gardens for their love and care of Eleanor these past seven years. She so enjoyed sitting in her apartment with the door open -- her "front porch" -- so she could wave and talk to anyone who passed in the hallway. Special thanks, too, to Linda from PAWS Assistance Dogs Naples, who brought therapy dog Ginger by for a visit every Wednesday, and to Riley the therapy cat.

Eleanor was a founding member of the Lewisville chapter of the Humane Society, so the family requests that any memorials be directed to: Humane Society of Lewisville, 1565 W. Main St., Suite 208246, Lewisville, Texas 75067; 972-353-4840; www.hsltexas.org.

Online condolences may be offered at www.shikanyfuneralhome.com.