Obituary of Leona Grace Bowen

WESTFIELD - Leona Grace (Waite) Bowen, age 90, of Clinton St., Westfield, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2019, at UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA.

  Leona was born in Ripley, New York on July 17, 1929 a daughter of the late Chester and Lizzie (Smith) Waite. She attended Ripley School and was the Salutatorian of her class and Captain of the Cheerleaders.  On September 10, 1948 she married her husband of 56 years, John Bowen; sadly, John died on September 15, 2004.  Leona had fond memories of square dancing and roller skating with John in their youth.  She was a member of the Westfield UMC.  Leona loves God, her family, and flowers.  She was homemaker and the mother of 15 children.  Leona was a mighty Prayer Warrior and prayed for her family daily.  She spent many hours reading her Bible and was excited when she talked about Jesus.  Her greatest joy in life was to have a family member find Jesus.  She requested her Celebration of Life service to be joyful.
   She is survived by her sons, John R. (Cordelia) Bowen of Westfield, NY, Timothy J. (Shelly) Bowen of Westfield NY, Patrick K. (Vikki) Bowen of Westfield NY, Alan M. (Patty) Bowen of Westfield NY, Paul A. Bowen of Westfield NY and by her daughters, Susan M. (late Larry) Shampoe of North East PA, Delilah L. (David) Nichols of Westfield NY, Teresa R.  (Steven) Collander of Westfield NY, Angel F. (Robert) Newman of Westfield NY, Nicole L. (David) Davies of Westfield NY, Jacalyn J. (Dale) Fedick of Olean NY, Jane A. (Jon) Bemis of Guthrie, OK, Linda M. (Brian) Bemis of Clymer NY, Maria A. (John Lewis) Bowen of Mina Corners NY, as well as by her 34 Grandchildren , 32 Great Grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother, Francis Waite of Livingston Manor, NY and by her sister, Bessie “Betty” (late Calvin) Bowen of Westfield and her son in law Ray Costley of Westfield.

  In addition to her parents and husband, Leona was preceded in death by her daughter, Cindy L. Costley, and by her siblings, Edith Rowe, Marion Sawin, Lawrence Waite and Ruth Thorp.

  Friends may call from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street in Westfield. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Westfield, 101 East Main St. with her son, Pastor John R. Bowen and her brother, Rev. Francis Waite officiating along with Rev. Nicholas Perry. Private burial will be in Westfield Cemetery.

  Memorials may be made in Leona’s name to The First United Methodist Church of Westfield, 101 E. Main St., or to the Westfield Vol. Fire Dept. Ambulance Memorial Fund, 23 Elm St., both in Westfield, NY 14787. 

  Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Bowen family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.