Mary Louise Bowman, affectionately known as Marilou, passed away on June 8, 2024, at Mountain Park Memory Care Community, Clackamas, Oregon.
Born to Louie and Clara Baker on August 27, 1929, she grew up in a close-knit family with her brothers Alan and Jim Baker and sisters Catherine (Baker) Dunlap and Carolyn Abel. Marilou met Ralph Bowman at the First Baptist Church in Gresham, OR and the two were married on August 12, 1949.
Marilou is survived by her sisters Catherine Dunlap and Carolyn (Harry) Abel, her children Becky Christensen and Clair (David) Brooks, and daughter-in-law Cheryl Bowman. She has 16 grand-children and 27 great grandchildren. Marilou was preceded in death by her parents, Louie and Clara Baker, her husband Ralph Bowman, her son Douglas Bowman and granddaughter Jennifer Brooks.
Marilou was involved with her church for many years. She was known for her singing voice, leading choirs and planning special music at church, and planning luncheons on her deck. In her senior years she formed the widow group and drove many of these women to have lunch together after church, until her dementia progressed and no longer could drive. Marilou was also the first woman school bus driver for Corbett school district. She enjoyed sewing and making baby quilts for her grandchildren and new babies in the church. In her later years she spent hours doing word find puzzles.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 12 noon – 3 PM at Sandy Funeral Home. A private family burial will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 11 AM at Douglass Pioneer Cemetery.
The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at 2 PM at Aims Community Church, 44510 SE Connett Rd, Corbett, OR 97019. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Aims Community Church.
Marilou will be remembered for her love for her family, church, entertaining her friends and family and for the 46 years of driving the bus for Corbett School District. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.