KAY JOAN SAMMARTANO

BOWEN, of Little Rock, Ark., passed to a place of everlasting love on August 15, 2020, surrounded by family. She was born December 7, 1933.

She is survived by her husband, Mike Bowen and her six girls from her first marriage to Marvin Sammartano; Cindi Sammartano, Kathleen (Ward) Hillegas, Dina (Bill) Damrow, Anna (Bruce Steingart) Curtis, Angela (Rob) Smith, and Mara (Bert) Miller. Family was key in her life. She loved her grandchildren; Joshua (Sarah) Hillegas, Sam Damrow, Matthew Damrow, Jack Curtis, Claire Curtis, Anthony Mahairas, Alex (Dan) Fabry, Nick (Brittney) Mahairas, Melissa (Phil) Ortiz, Michael (Alex) Smith, Logan Miller, and five great-grandchildren.

She worked to raise her girls while pursuing a Master’s degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kay worked to prepare succeeding generations of nursing professionals as an instructor at Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wis., and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Many of her former students comment on the positive effect she had in shaping their futures. Kay was an amazing cook and loved to host family celebrations. She was a beautiful, vibrant, stylish woman and loved a party- even at age 86. She married Mike Bowen in 2007 and welcomed his three children into her circle who survive her; Theresa Bartolin, John (Barb) Bowen, and Michael (Joyce) Bowen. She was predeceased by her first husband.

Due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions, a graveside service will be held for family. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.rollerfuneralhomes/chenal.