Florence Bowen

Florence Liane "Bunny" Bowen

Bunny Bowen began her next spiritual journey on May 2, 2010. The beauty of her spirit is now free of the physical pain and challenge she endured over the last few weeks. She was surrounded by family and loved ones as she took and gave her last breath.

Florence was born on February 23, 1933 in Magna Utah, the daughter of Elmer and Sara Bowen. She grew up in Magna with seven brothers and sisters, a foster sister and cousins who often shared her family's home. She married Ivan B. Woodbury in 1952 and moved to Granger Utah. She brought two children into this world, William "Bill" Woodbury and Tamara "Tammy" Jo Woodbury. After 25 years of marriage she divorced and moved into the Ridgeland ward in West Valley City.

Always an active member of the LDS Church, she served many callings throughout her lifetime.

Bunny loved her biological and extended family. She was very close to both of her children and was first and foremost a mother to her own children and to many other friends and relatives. Her son Bill died unexpectedly in 2001. Her daughter, Tamara lives in Phoenix Arizona. She was exceptionally close with two of her sisters, Ivlue (Jose) Rosa and Kathlene Bowen. There was rarely a day when these three sisters did not talk with each other. She is also survived by her sister, Sherma (Max) Moser; foster sister, Helen Turpin; and brothers, Kent (Kathy) and Ray (Marilyn) Bowen.

Her many nieces, nephews and their children will morn Bunny's passing, as she was always a fountain of love for all of them and treated them as her own grand children.

Two of Bunny's brothers preceded her in death, Jay Lynn and Darley (Varna) Bowen.

Bunny was always active in her community. She was a member of the Utah Daughters of the Pioneers and served as an officer and then president in the Granger Lady Lions Club. She had a gifted voice and loved music. She sang and played guitar in a folk singing group in the 1950's and 60's, sang for 25 years in the Keynotes, and frequently participated in the choir and other musical callings for her church. She loved to play the piano and many other musical instruments.  Bunny was also a talented poet and loved sharing her poetry with others and particularly enjoyed writing personalized poems for people to celebrate and honor special occasions. She also loved creating things with her hands, and loved doing ceramics with her mother and sisters and was dedicated to carrying forward, with the help of her sisters, the tradition of giving hand made gifts to all family members each Christmas Eve.

Bunny leaves a legacy of love and creative expression. She loved people and animals.

Her family is exceedingly grateful for the love and care that PJ Jennings gave to Bunny over the years, particularly the last few months. PJ and Claudia Myers were considered by Bunny as her adopted daughters. Bunny's dog Ginger was a light in her life. She always had a close animal companion.

The family also wishes to thank Bunny's neighbors, Bob and Cammy Gardner, Steve and Alayna Burr, and Julie and Don Jex. They also wish to acknowledge the care providers at St. Marks Hospital, Heritage Place and Silverado Hospice, as well as, her relief society and home teachers.

Funeral services will be 12 noon Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Ridgeland Ward, 4251 S. 4800 W.  A viewing will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday at Peel Funeral Home, 8525 W. 2700 S., Magna, and Saturday 11-11:45 a.m. at the church. Interment: Wellsville Cemetery.  Online condolences: wwwpeelfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers the family recommends making a donation in Florence "Bunny" Bowen's name to the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus Pine Council, 119 East Coronado Road Phoenix, Arizona 85004 to be used in Bunny's memory toward the development of a camp and program center for girls and rescue services for animals.