SHOREWOOD, Ill. — Mrs. B. Jean Bowen, 91, of Shorewood, Ill., and formerly of Catonsville, Md., passed away Thursday, Dec. 7, 2012, at her home.
Born Nov. 5, 1921, in Baltimore, Md., Jean was a daughter of the late William Elmer Greenwood Sr. and Myrtle Ida (Minton) Greenwood. She was raised in Baltimore and was a 1939 graduate of Western High School.
Jean enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in August of 1942, and was formally enlisted on Aug. 23, 1943. She completed her basic training in Daytona Beach and was assigned to Camp Kilmer, N.J., for 21 months, acting as first sergeant for a WAAC detachment. She was later reassigned to the Theater Provost Marshal’s Office in Paris, France, where she served as chief clerk in the personnel division, supervising the work of enlisted men and British and German civilians for eight months. Jean was discharged as a master sergeant in March 1946.
On Oct. 25, 1947, Jean married James Franklin Bowen in Baltimore. He preceded her in death in August of 2010.
After marriage, Jean worked in banking at Baltimore Federal Savings and Loan until the birth of her daughter, Laurie. She was active in Girl Scouts, both as a Girl Scout and later as a Scout Leader. She was a former long-time active member of Catonsville Presbyterian Church (1956-2009), and most recently belonged to First Presbyterian Church of Morris.
Jean loved to garden and will be remembered as a dedicated caregiver to her elderly relatives. She enjoyed sponsoring U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen at her home in suburban Baltimore, and was devoted to her family. Jean truly cherished spending time with her grandchildren, as well as with their friends.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Richard Albrecht of Shorewood; grandchildren James Carl Albrecht of Urbana, Ill., Lt. Meredith (Aaron) Minton Botnick of Milton, Fla., and Lindsay (Lt. Kai) Catherine Seglem of Honolulu, Hawaii; one beloved great-grandson Jack Omund Metcalfe Seglem; a sister, Ruth (Claude) Bixler of Timonium, Md.; a sister-in-law, Donna Greenwood of Ocean City, Md.; two nephews, Christopher Greenwood of Ocean City and James Patrick Greenwood of Berlin, Md.; a niece Tracey (Norman) Townsend of Towson, Md.; a great-niece, Camryn Townsend; and a great-nephew, Liam Townsend.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, William Elmer Greenwood Jr.; and grandson, Mark Andrew Albrecht.
The family will receive friends at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 East Jackson St., Morris, from 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12., until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Roy Backus will officiate.
Burial with full military honors will take place on Dec. 19, 2012, at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills, Md.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jean’s memory to First Presbyterian Church of Morris, 200 East Jackson Street, Morris, Illinois 60450.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris. For additional information, call the funeral home at (815) 942-2500.
