Gladys E. Bowie's Obituary
Gladys E. Bowie, 90, resident of Gainesville, Florida, died Friday, January 22, 2016 at the Oak Hammock at the University of Florida, following an extended illness.
Gladys was born on May 18, 1925 in Richmond Hill, New York to the late Harry and Emma Vormbrock. She went to business school and began working in NYC for Borden Milk, until she took time off to raise her family. Gladys returned to work as a quality control supervisor for Federated Department Stores on Long Island, until retiring in 1984. She began to spend time in Florida, before making Weeki Wachee her permanent home in the late 1980’s. She enjoyed the arts, painting and cooking; she loved people and travelling, making her transition to social director and travel coordinator for her community a natural fit.
She is survived by her loving husband of 69 years, Bruce T. Bowie; two daughters, Debera (Keith Simpson) Prosek and Donna (Brian Melchar) Bowie; three grandchildren, Michelle Prosek, Janeen (Jim) Eckert, and Natalie (Matt) Havens; five great grandchildren, Ethan, Emerson and Peyton Eckert and Finley and Fisher Havens.
A memorial service to celebrate Gladys’ life will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 4:00 PM, in the Oak Room at Oak Hammock, followed by a gathering of friends and family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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