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 the broker of record for Hershey's Mill Villages in West Chester. Her husband pre-deceased her in 2002. She is survived by sons 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 lifelong traveler who enjoyed learning about other cultures and traveled extensively with family and friends to exotic and remote destinations throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa Betty Jo was a passionate supporter of her children's and grandchildren's many academic, athletic, artistic, and business pursuits regardless of the outcome. Betty Jo's generosity, kindness, loyalty, and incredible energy will be remembered always and serve as an eternal guiding light for all who knew her. She was a volunteer guide at the Winterthur Museum for many years and a supporter of the Chester County Historical Society, Chester County Food Bank, and the Kennett Symphony. Betty Jo and her friends managed an annual fundraising event benefiting Planned Parenthood of Chester County. She also was a leading opponent of moving the public library in Kennett Square to a location that would not have been accessible to many town residents. That effort was successful and a new, expanded library has been built in the same location. She supported several cultural and community organizations while living in Baltimore as well as the Maryland Food Bank. A private burial is planned in
West Chester, PA. In lieu of flowers, please send gifts of remembrance to the Kennett Square Library. Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc.
West Chester, PA 19380; 610-696-1181 www.DellaFH.com
Published by The Daily Local from Dec. 22 to Dec. 23, 2023.