Amelia Bowden

amelia bowden

February 18, 1930 ~ November 10, 2022

Born in: Manhattan, NY
Resided in: Smithtown, NY

Amelia Bowden of Smithtown, New York, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, November 10, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband, William, her brother, Frank and her parents, Philomena and Anthony. She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (Steve), Dauretta (Craig), and Vivian as well as granddaughters, Michelle (Michael), and Colette. Most recently, and to her great joy, her family was joined by great-granddaughter Amelia.
Amelia was born in Manhattan and moved to Flushing, Queens as a teenager. There she and her brother met the boy down the street named Bill. Her brother and Bill became lifelong best friends and less than a decade later, Amelia and Bill began a romance culminating in a marriage of sixty-seven years.
The term “homemaker” in the sense of its real meaning, applied to Amelia in spades. In addition to raising three accomplished professional women (an engineer and two lawyers) and being a fabulous cook and baker, Amelia was an active member for many years of the Smithtown Book Club, one of the oldest continuous such clubs in the country, and the Smithtown Garden Club. For thirty years Amelia served on the Altar Guild at St. James Episcopal Church and was an active participant and president of the Suffolk Symphony Guild. For many years, she also served as a weekly volunteer at St. John’s Hospital in Smithtown.
A focal point of Amelia’s life was her garden. She and Bill, a horticultural educator, transformed a conventional home and yard into a cornucopia of flowering trees and plants, arranged along descending paths and terraces to their own continuing delight and the delight of their neighbors, with whom they maintained long-standing friendships. Until very recently, when ill health overtook her, Amelia could be found in her garden in all kinds of weather, weeding and planting at a pace that would have discouraged many younger folks.

Amelia’s funeral will take place live and via web stream at St. James Episcopal Church on Monday, November 14 at 11:00 AM; masks required. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in memory of Amelia be made to the St. James Episcopal Church Altar Guild (St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James, NY 11780).

Services

Service: November 14, 2022 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Saint James Episcopal Church
490 N Country Rd
St James, NY 11780


Interment: November 14, 2022 12:00 pm

St. James Episcopal Cemetery
Route 25 A
SAINT JAMES, NY 11784


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Guestbook

  1. I only knew Amelia through her daughter, Vivian, who is a wonderful friend and colleague at LSAC. Sending love to you Vivian and to all of your family. May you all be comforted by one another, the many memories of your mother, and of Amelia’s amazing well-lived life. What a fabulous woman!
    Blessings to all,
    Kellye Testy and all of your LSAC Colleagues

  2. Amelia was a dear, precious friend for many years. Deeply saddened by the loss of a beautiful soul. Will cherish many wonderful memories of shared times together.

  3. Amelia was a dear, cherished friend for many years. Memories of shared wonderful times together will help ease the sadness of her
    passing.

  4. Amelia was a dear, cherished friend of many years. Memories of special times together will help ease the sadness of her passing.

  5. I will always have memories of what a beautiful and kind person Amelia was in life. As Amelia is finally at peace, I am sending my prayers and wishes that the Bowden family find comfort in knowing Amelia is no longer in pain or suffering.

  6. candleAfter reading over the wonderful story of your life I have grown to admire you even more Aunt Millie. From the wonderful Christmas memories made gathering around your fabulous, very large, Christmas tree ( where we would race to find the pickle) to piano lessons with the girls in your parlor you have always had me in awe. Thank you for sharing with me the wonderful stories of my grandfather and grandmother as a young adults. Those are some I will cherish and share with Joseph and Michael when they get older. I am blessed to have had you meet my husband Joe and get together one last time, you had him smitten. We love you so much and this is never a good bye. We will see you soon. We love you so very much.

  7. candleVivian, sending love to you and your family. May your mom, Amelia, rest in peace, and join her beloved and family in the sweetness of heaven and the comforts of love eternal. Showering you all in eternal love and grace ~ Eileen

  8. Millie was a great friend to my Mother Dorothy for over 65 years They were like sisters and had a fantastic friendship I have many great memories being with her family many times She was a classy smart and a great person Prayers for her 🙏 and her family God bless Peter


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