MARTHA J. BOWEN WALSH

MARTHA J. BOWEN
WALSH, 74

WINTER HAVEN - Martha J. Bowen Walsh, a longtime resident of Central Florida, died Monday the 23rd of February, 2015, at her home in Winter Haven, Florida, after battling cancer for many years.
Born in 1940 in Albany, GA, she moved to Winter Haven with her family at the age of twelve.
She is preceded in death by her youngest son Thomas Kelly Bowen and is survived by her sisters Barbara Pankow, June Ritchie and Susan Rindley, brother William Watson, her sons James W. and Terryl Bowen, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Martha was a housewife, artist, business woman and avid supporter of human rights and animal cruelty issues. A kind and generous mother, grandmother, sister and friend, she loved her family passionately. She loved the sea and spent as much time as possible near the beaches of Florida. Martha was smart, witty and genuine, and was well loved by those who knew her.
In her last days, Martha was lovingly cared for by those closest to her and passed peacefully.
It was her wish that there be no public ceremonies and to be cremated, her ashes scattered into the sea at Anna Maria, Florida.
The family wishes that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Humane Society of Polk County, 555 Sage Rd., Winter Haven, FL, 33881. ( www.humanesocietyofpolkcounty.org ). Donations to Cornerstone Hospice, 2950 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven, FL, 33881. ( www.cshospice.org ) are also encouraged.