Obituary for Mary Frances Stambaugh Bowden

     Mary Frances Stambaugh Bowden, of Ada, Ohio passed away on January 30, 2023 at the age of 99. 

     Mary was born October 19, 1923, in McGuffey, Ohio, to the late Jennings and Ellen Stambaugh.  She graduated from Ada High School in 1941 and earned a two-year degree in Aviation Technology from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri in 1943.  At Stephens she was chosen as the outstanding graduate from the Aviation Department.  After college, she worked as a Link Trainer Operator in Brownsville, Texas, training Air Force pilots during WWII.

     Mary married Robert Lee Bowden in 1944.  Bob, a biology professor at Ohio Northern University for 26 years, passed away in 1979.  She is survived by their five children:  Michael Bowden, of Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan; Barbara Bruner (Ron), of Granville, Ohio; Beth Welter (Mark), of Bartlett, Tennessee; Jim Bowden (Judy), of Pearland, Texas; and Patty Fernandes (Glenn), of Orange, Ohio.  She is also survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

     She was a wonderful mother and grandmother.  A good friend to many.  An excellent and avid Bridge player.  She enjoyed traveling, cooking, reading and especially spending time with her friends and her family.  The community of Ada was very important to her, having volunteered for numerous committees and projects.  For twelve years she was on the Liberty National Bank Board of Directors, the Chairwoman of the Board for over half that time.  Mary also supported the Stambaugh Farms for 37 years as a Trustee and financial manager.

     Mary will be missed by many close friends and her loving family.

     Per Mary’s wishes, there will be no funeral or viewing hours, however, any donations in remembrance of her are welcome to the Robert L. Bowden Scholarship Fund at Ohio Northern University.  She will join Bob, the love of her life, when her ashes will be spread at Lake of The Woods, Ontario, where they and their family spent many memorable summers on fishing vacations.