Obituary of Evelyn H. Bowen

Evelyn H. Bowen Evelyn H. Bowen, age 80 of Pennsville died suddenly Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at home. Born in Salem on January 16, 1930 to the late Joseph and Dorothy (Land) Harris, she was a life-long resident of Pennsville.Evelyn attended Penns Grove Regional High School. Upon her graduation in 1947, she enrolled in the teaching program at Glassboro State Teacher's College and earned her BS in Education in 1950. Evelyn taught for 40 years in the Pennsville School District, retiring in 1991 as a 5th grade teacher at Valley Park School. During her career in Pennsville, Evelyn taught every elementary grade level and worked in the Deepwater School, the Pennsville School, Central Park and Valley Park Schools. Her love for the teaching profession and dedication to children was evident in her many stories. Although she had been retired for many years, Evelyn continued to remain active in the field of education. She served as a housemother for the GCI (Girls Career Institute) held at Rutgers University and had recently worked as an adjunct English and Math instructor at Salem Community College.Over the years, Evelyn served in many organizations and was always willing to freely volunteer her time for others. She served as President of the Salem County Education Association, the Pennsville Education Association, the Salem County PTA, and was a board member for EIRC. Other areas of service included President of both the Penns Grove - Carneys Point Woman's Club and the Woodstown Woman's Club, member of the State Federation of Woman's Clubs, past Little League softball coach and board member, treasurer and volunteer for the Salvation Army, United Way member, volunteer and board member of Meals on Wheels, and volunteer and auxiliary secretary for the Memorial Hospital of Salem County. Evelyn was a member of Saint George's Episcopal Church where she served on the alter guild and vestry. In previous years, Evelyn had been a member of both Our Merciful Savior Episcopal Church and St. John's Episcopal Church where she also served as a member of the vestry. In her spare time, Evelyn enjoyed reading, camping, solving cryptogram puzzles, and watching the Phillies on TV. In addition to her parents, Evelyn was predeceased by her dear friend Agnes "Claire" Eckley. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, John M. Bowen Sr., along with her two sons, Joe (Ida) of Pennsville and John Jr. (Judy) of Cape May. She also leaves behind her 4 grandchildren, Joanna (Matt) of Maryland, Jon Eric of Pennsville, Nick of Pennsville, and Matt (Colleen) of Pennsville and 2 great-grandsons, Joe and Michael. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Monday Oct. 25, at the Laughrey Funeral Home, Pennsville where friends may call Sunday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Burial will be at the St. George's Cemetery, Pennsville. Contributions to Evelyn's memory may be made to the Game Creek Road Humane Society, the Pennsville Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels of Salem County, or St. George's Episcopal Church.