Esther Mary Bowen passed away on December 28th, 2020, after a month long battle with complications from surgery and heart disease. She was born on June 23, 1932 to Joseph and Margaret Thompson in the outskirts of London, England. She was predeceased by her parents, brother William, and husband of 59 years Kenneth Bowen. Esther is survived by her loving family, Allison and husband Peter Weir with their three grown daughters, Heather, Michelle and Kimberly Weir, and son Ross Bowen, with his wife Charlotte and their two grown children Spencer and Sidney Bowen.
After WWII, upon leaving school, Esther landed a wonderful job at the new headquarters of Time and Life magazines as a secretary and tour guide. As a young working woman, Esther loved to go dancing with friends. It was this love of dancing that brought Ken and Esther together one night at the Hammersmith Palais. hen they met, Ken was a shy, but fun loving carpenter. Ken and Esther’s romance blossomed and they were married in 1955.
In 1957, Ken and Esther emigrated to Toronto, Canada where Allison and Ross were born. In 1966, the family moved across Canada to Vancouver, B.C., and three years later in 1970 the family immigrated to the US and landed in Glendale, making it their home.
Ken and Esther continued their love of dancing with the Coronets dance club. They also enjoyed attending the Glendale Symphony orchestra performances. Esther became involved with the Women’s Committee of the Glendale Symphony Orchestra, served as President, and when the orchestra moved to the Alex, she became instrumental in the initial refurbishment of the Alex Theater.
Esther was an avid volunteer. She was a Girl Scout leader and trainer for many years. She served at St. Mark’s church on the Alter Guild, the Vestry, the choir and as a Lay Reader. She drove for Meals on Wheels. She was a long-time active member of both The Oakmont League of Glendale and Las Candelas and enjoyed the hands-on community actives the most. Esther and Ken were members of the Oakmont Country Club and enjoyed combining golf with their love of travel. They golfed all over the country and they traveled around the world.
Esther was an accomplished seamstress, making her own clothes for many years. Later she developed a love for knitting, crochet, needlepoint and quilting. Her handmade blankets and needlepoint stockings are legendary and a reminder of her love and skill in dozens of homes in the US and England. The collection of blankets still in use by the family today dates back to the 1970’s.
Ken and Esther lived in Glendale until 2014 when they sold the family home and moved Ken to the memory care unit at Solheim retirement home in Eagle Rock. Esther joined him there in her own apartment where she continued her handiwork, joined in family events and continued to enjoy the company of friends and family at the Oakmont Country Club and her organizations.
Esther’s presence and love will be missed by all who knew her. The family laid her ashes to rest and celebrated her life at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glendale on April 16th, 2021.
