MADELINE MARIE BOWMAN (nee) Edwards April 28 1925 – July 4 2018 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother, Aunt and Best Friend. Madeline died peacefully at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance after becoming ill on the Sunday July 1 st . Madeline was cared for with compassion and love by her family and nurses at CKHA. Madeline left this world as gracefully as she lived it and we feel she chose the 4 th of July to make her exit so that we would always celebrate her memory with fireworks and fun! Madeline was one of God’s finest creations; she was loved dearly by her family and friends. This woman was and will always be everyone’s favorite person! Madeline spent her days caring for others, she believed there was no such thing as strangers, they were just friends that she had not met yet. Madeline made a house into a home full of love. All who entered her home were greeted with a smile, hug and something to eat. Madeline could be found baking pies, preparing delicious meals, playing a game of scrabble or Mr. Do or at the church praying the rosary with her friends. In Madeline’s younger years she worked as a seamstress making gloves for WWII, a cafeteria lady with her sisters and helped raise her siblings, niece and her grandchildren. Madeline’s zest for life inspired her to be adventurous. Often Madeline would surprize her children or grandchildren with a spur of the moment outing to the beach with a picnic after church or a chance to win at bingo with a family member or friend. The drive time to anywhere (whether it was the grocery store or Boblo Island) was filled with singing her favorite songs like “The Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy” “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey, and a lively chorus of ”Katie”. It was never a boring ride and a lot of fun. Madeline loved the beach and camping. Her love of the colour pink was a great reason for the purchasing a pink tent! Camping in a pink tent was so much fun she stayed in it with 3 kids for 28 days every summer! Madeline was not a typical Grandmother! Madeline’s grandchildren always said she was the hippest happening, coolest Grama ever because she rode the rides at Boblo, had a ghetto blaster, leather jacket and loved playing video games! Madeline was a member of the Moose Lodge for over 50 years and enjoyed the mother and daughter banquets that she attended along with the evenings of partying it up and dancing on Saturday nights. Madeline was very committed to her catholic faith from the time she was born. She was very active in the CWL and brought God into the lives of her children and grandchildren. Madeline is one of two God Mother’s to her Great Grandson Jacob. Madeline loved to pray the rosary and enjoyed a rosary prayer group on Wednesdays, Thursdays and attending adoration on the first Friday of the month with her friends and Granddaughter Jill. Madeline was a parishioner at Our Lady of Victory, St Agnes, Blessed Sacrament and St Ursula’s parishes. Madeline was the daughter of the late Samuel and Gertrude Edwards. Wife of the late Ken Bowman. Madeline is survived by her daughters, Janet Paine, Sandra MacDonald husband Gordon and son Michael Bowman (Sandy Dye). Cherished Grandmother of Elizabeth Mortele (Robert), Randy Paine, Jessica Bowman (Craig), Vanessa Labrecque, Shane Desrosiers and Jill LaRue-Addy (Duane). Great Grandmother to Alyssa, Kirsten (John), Madison, Faith, Paige, Nicole, Dylan, Kai, Maddox, Tylie, Christian, Milania, Ryder and Jake. Great Great Grandmother to Sierra, Hailey, Charlotte and Kaia. Madeline was predeceased by brothers William Edwards, Clifford Edwards, Kenny Edwards, sisters Louise Scane, Ruby Ryan, Elsie Somers, Sophie Markowski, and Bonnie (Bernadette) Horton. Although Madeline lost her mother at a very young age, she took on motherhood like she wrote the book on it. Madeline grew into being the finest Mother, Grandmother and Friend that anyone could ever wish for. Madeline always said “Do not cry when I am gone, I am in a much better place than you! I want you to live, laugh and love. Have a party because I will be in heaven!” Cremation has taken place. A funeral mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Chatham at 10:00 am Saturday July 21 st 2018, beginning with praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy, at Madeline’s request at 9:30 am. Madeline loved animals so in lieu of flowers please make a donation to the new animal shelter or Covenant House on her behalf.