JEANETTE BOWDEN

Jeanette Bowden, age 86, of Lewes DE peacefully passed away May 17 while at home.  Born on November 4, 1934 in Antioch CA, Jeanette was the daughter of the late Henry and Lois (Blackmon) Hiebert.  She graduated from Antioch High School in 1952 and worked at U.S. Steel before becoming a secretary/administrator at the Rand Corporation think tank in Santa Monica CA.   After many years at Rand, Jeanette became the department administrator for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Southern California where she met and wed Charles Bowden; they were married for 45 years.  As her husband pursued his career, she worked in the Mathematics department at Northwestern University and for Orthopedics/Sports Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The couple resided for Charles’ work in Belgium for two years and, after retirement, in the south of France for ten years before relocating to Lewes. 

Jeanette was an excellent cook, an avid traveler and loved the outdoors.  While she traveled widely in eastern / western Europe and the Caribbean, Yosemite National Park always remained her favorite.  She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, gardening and gathering with family/friends/fine wines.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her brother Henry Franklin Hiebert and her sister Diane Chaney.  She is survived by her sister Marjorie Sumrall of Hattiesburg MS and her husband Charles of Lewes DE.

A memorial gathering will be held later in the year.  In lieu of flowers, her family suggests contributions to the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave, Lewes DE 19958.

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