Virginia Fishler Bowen

Virginia Fishler Bowen 1916 ~ 2009 Virginia Fishler Bowen, a registered nurse in the state of California and Utah for the majority of her adult life, died of natural causes at the age of 92 at her home in Carlsbad, CA, Sunday, May 24, 2009. Born July 17, 1916, in Ogden, Utah, to Philip Louis and Alice Ethel Mabey Fishler, Virginia was the eldest of seven Fishler children. With the economic stresses of the Great Depression, Virginia became the "little mother" to her younger siblings while her parents struggled to support the family. She graduated from Salt Lake's East High School in 1934 and from Salt Lake City's Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing, 1938. Throughout her lifetime she lovingly served her family as wife and mother, her community and her church. Specifically she served in the Red Cross, Daughter's of the American Revolution, and Primary teacher for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was a gourmet cook and an artistic and creative woman. Virginia eloped with her childhood friend, neighbor, ward teacher, and West High graduate, Allen C. Bowen January 1939 and remarried May 2, 1939 on his birthday, before family and friends. Each year, they celebrated two wedding anniversaries. They moved over 35 times with her husband's changing job assignments in the USDA, Conservation Services, and the USMC. They finally built a home and settled into Carlsbad, CA, 1957. Virginia read the manual, learned the protocols, and enjoyed the life of the Marine Corp Officer's Wife to Colonel Allen "Ace" Bowen, Camp Pendleton, CA. Virginia is survived by her children: Gary (Herlinda), Salt Lake City, UT; Shauna Stott, Pacific Grove, CA; John, Carlsbad, CA; brothers Kenneth Fishler and Stanley (Darlene) Fishler, Salt Lake City, UT; Baalah Drooks, West Covina, CA; five grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved parents Alice Ethel Mabey and Philip Louis Fishler, sisters Audrey and Mildred, brother, Ben, sister-in-law, Pat Fishler, brother-in-law Morris F. Drooks and by her husband, Allen. The last 10 years, Virginia was lovingly cared for by her youngest son, John, who devoted himself and his life to prolonging her life and enjoyment in the Carlsbad, CA family home of 52 years. The family expresses appreciation to Oswaldo Peñafiel, who gave five years of his life to help John tend to Virginia's many needs. Virginia's funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009 at Russon Bros. Mortuary, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, UT. where family and friends may visit Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 -10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will take place at the Bountiful City Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com