M. Patricia Bowman
Martha Patricia Bowman, 87, of Arden Courts and formerly of Chestnut Street, Harrisburg, passed away believing in Jesus on Saturday, August 9, 2014.
Born September 6, 1926 in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of the late Irvin P. and Elizabeth I. (Stehman) Bowman, and was also the sister of the late Elizabeth B. Graffius, Philip I. Bowman and Julia B. Engle and aunt to the late Beth Engle.
A 1944 graduate of John Harris High School, she attended Central Penn Business College, retired after 35 years as a legal secretary to the late George W. McKee, Attorney, and had been a notary public.
Patricia was a lifetime member of Harris Street United Methodist Church, joining December 5, 1937. There she was a member of the Sunday School, active in the choir for over 70 years, and was a former children's Sunday School teacher. In addition, she was a member of United Methodist Women, Church Women United, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Bethesda Mission and Neighborhood Center Auxilliares, and since 1958 was a volunteer sales representative for SERRV crafts. She also volunteered at the Uptown U.M. Soup Kitchen and for Meals on Wheels.
From her childhood on, she attended annual Campmeeting and concerts at Ocean Grove, NJ; and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and visiting European countries and Egypt, Israel and China. Attending auctions and collecting many dolls filled her time with joy.
Surviving are her "adopted" daughter, Victoria J. Redfern, who was by her side until the end; her "adopted" grandson, Jeremy M. Redfern; her sister, Mary Ann Gilbert; her nieces, Beth Ann Gilbert, Mary Jane Dalton and Sarah Gardener, and many other beloved nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held 12:00 pm Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at Willow Street Mennonite Church Cemetery, Lancaster County, and a memorial service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, August 16, 2014 at her church with the Rev. Carl Peterson officiating.
Contributions may be made in her memory to her church, Harris Street United Methodist Church, 250 Harris Street, Harrisburg, 17102 or to Heartland Hospice, who took such good care of her and her family,1200 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 302, Carlisle, 17013.
Kimmel Funeral Home, Inc., Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.