BOWMAN, Betty Jo
Betty Jo Garland Bowman passed away unexpectedly on December 3, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Betty Jo Bowman had been a resident of Baltimore since 2004. She previously lived in Kennett Square, PA and West Chester, PA for over 35 years. Betty Jo Garland, the daughter of Dolph and Alice Garland, was born in 1936 in Banner Elk, NC and raised in Roan Mountain, TN. At the age of 9 her family moved to Westminster, MD where she graduated from Westminster High School in 1954. Her classmates selected her as the Queen of Hearts of the annual Valentine’s Dance, something her family never let her forget. She was also a 1956 graduate of Goldy Beacom College located in Wilmington, DE.
She began her professional career in 1955 at the DuPont Co. in Wilmington. She met her future husband Raymond R. Bowman in Wilmington and was married there in 1956. Betty Jo had a long and successful career as a real estate broker. Her husband pre-deceased her in 2002. She is survived by son Stephen H. Bowman (Susan) of Tilghman Island, MD, daughter Susan B. Warren of Baltimore, MD, son Douglas E. Bowman (Carrie) of West Chester, PA, her beloved grandchildren William R. Warren of Tivoli, NY and Daniel P. Warren of Baltimore, MD, and her precious friend who became a family member, Daise Bedolla of New York, NY.
She also leaves behind sister Barbara Sprinkle (Ron) of Mission Viejo, CA, brother Bob Garland of Hanover, PA, sister-in-law Carol Garland of Hanover, PA, and many nieces and nephews. Her brother William Garland proceeded her in death in 2017. Betty Jo Bowman also will be missed by a very large circle of devoted friends. She was passionate about her family, reading, art, music, gardening, health, fitness, cooking, and films. She was a dedicated traveler who visited exotic and remote destinations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa with family and friends. Florence, Italy, where she lived for several months in 2019 was a particular favorite.
Betty Jo was a passionate supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s many academic, athletic, artistic, and business pursuits, regardless of the outcome.
She was a volunteer guide at the Winterthur Museum for many years and a supporter of the Kennett Symphony in Pennsylvania. Betty Jo and her friends managed an annual fundraising event benefiting Planned Parenthood of Chester County, PA. She enjoyed every minute of living in the historic Mount Vernon community of Baltimore and was a lifetime member of the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association and a member of the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy. A dedicated patron of Mount Vernon’s cultural institutions, Betty Jo nurtured an appreciation for the arts in her grandchildren with extensive exposure to fine art, music, theater, and literature over many years.
Betty Jo’s generosity, kindness, loyalty, and incredible energy will be remembered by those who knew her. A private burial is planned in West Chester, PA.
In lieu of flowers please make gifts of remembrance to the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy. Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. West Chester, PA 19380; 610-6961181 www.DellaFH.com