Virginia (Patts) Bowie

With a heavy heart, today we announce the passing of our dearly beloved stepmom, Virginia Claire (Patts) Bowie, age 97, of West Boylston on Sunday, October 16 at home. Not the wisest decision a wise woman would make, at the age of 50, Claire left a supervisory position at Verizon to take on a widower with 9 unruly children. But, with patience, persistence, and a whole lot of love, she won us all over and gave new meaning to the words charm and elegance. Shortly thereafter, she and our dad built a home on beautiful Sanibel Island and spent 22 years of bliss at The Dunes Golf Club overlooking the third green. She was skilled and lucky enough to score two career aces while there. Our dad got lucky also with two wonderful wives, much preferred.

Her husband and best friend of 40 years, Dr. Everett J. Bowie died in 2015. She leaves nine children, Sharon Morgan of Lawrence, KS, Pamela Marrone of West Boylston, Joanne Woodgate of Kingston, Kathleen Owens of Greenfield, NH, Everett "Jay" Bowie of Plymouth, Steven Bowie of Port Orange, FL, Michael Bowie of Charlton, Carolyn Bowie of Plymouth and John Bowie of Atlanta, GA; a sister, Jean Hallmark whom she loved and adored; 21 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson Ryan Woodgate and her great-granddaughter Emma Marrone as well as three brothers, John, Donald, and Joseph Patts. She was born in Boston, daughter of James and Margaret (Haley) Patts.

There will be a Mass at celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, October 21st at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 111 Worcester St. Burial to follow at Mount Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Emma Marrone Memorial Fund, c/o Cornerstone Bank 230 Park Avenue, Worcester, MA 01609 or the Broadcast Mass c/o of the Worcester Diocese, 40 Elm St., Worcester, 01608. Arrangements are in the care of Fay Brothers Life Celebration Home, 1 West Boylston St., West Boylston