Claudine Bowman Mcgowan

Claudine Bowman McGowan, 87, passed away August 21, 2012. The ninth child (and seventh daughter) of ten children born to Claude and Lucy (Ware) Bowman of Pineville KY, Claudine came into this world on January 30, 1925. In 1939 her father was transferred to Benham KY, and Claudine played the trombone in the marching band before graduating from Benham High School in 1942. After graduation she attended business school in Lexington, KY, and then worked at the Lexington Signal Depot as a Typist Clerk, War Service Indefinite. Claudine went to work and live in Chicago in 1945. She shared an apartment with her sister Marge until Marge’s husband Jack returned from the service. Marge helped her obtain a job as a stenographer at Standard Oil Company and to acquire a room at her sorority house. In February of 1947 Claudine was invited on a double date with a friend at the sorority house. They went to Elmhurst Country Club where she met Thomas McGowan. He charmed her that night, and also danced with her. They were engaged three months later and married September 6, 1947. Later on, Claudine teased Tom that if she had known that he really didn’t like to dance that she might not have married him. Their daughter, Patricia Mary, was born June 1, 1949. Claudine and Tom bought a house in Niles, IL and Claudine was a member of Niles Community Church where she enjoyed singing in the choir. After their move in 1972 to a new home in Buffalo Grove, IL, she became a member of Long Grove Church and again sang in the choir. Claudine was employed as a teletypist for Sears from 1963 until her retirement in 1983. After Tom’s death in March, 2001 she became a volunteer to give respite to caregivers and received “volunteer of the year award” from the organization in 2003. Claudine moved to Bozeman in 2005 to be near her daughter. She was excited to move into her beautiful new apartment with a view of the garden at Aspen Pointe. Soon after her move she became a close friend and companion of another new resident, her next door neighbor, Bob Holloway. They went on several trips including Branson, MO and Victoria, BC. Bob helped Claudine decorate her new apartment in western style, and she truly missed him after he passed in December 2009. Claudine loved all the activities, friendships, the staff and the Wii Bowling Tournaments. Claudine is survived by her daughter Patricia (Trish) McGowan of Bozeman, her sister Mary Glovier of Charlotte, NC and numerous nieces and nephews. A reception to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 on Friday, August 31, 2012 at the Chapel at Aspen Pointe. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 11390, Bozeman, MT 59719. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com