OLIVE BOWMAN (SAM) -

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OLIVE BOWMAN (SAM) 1947 - 2008 Peacefully, at Riverview Health Centre, after a lengthy battle with bowel cancer, Sam, passed away, on December 27, 2008, with family by her side. She was predeceased by her parents, Art and Helen Elders; her sister Evelyn (Bill) Miller; and her aunt Olive Shaw. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, of 41 years, Ian; her daughter Kristine (Claude) Bowman; her sons, Rob (Magaly), Derek (Raff); and her beloved cats, Mia and Jag. She will be lovingly remembered by her sisters-in-law, Ruth McKinlay and Anne Blair, of Winnipeg; as well as, her Alberta family: her nieces, Sandy (Dale) Morigeau, Laura (Dave) Bourne, in Red Deer; and her nephew Keith (Carman) Miller, in Calgary. A Fort Garry girl, born and raised, Sam attended Vincent Massey Collegiate and graduated in 1968 from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Home Economics. When not at home raising her three children, she worked part-time and full-time predominantly, in retail, most notably at Lewiscraft, in St. Vital Centre, until her retirement in 2002. It was here that she formed several enduring friendships, especially, with that of her soulmate, Lois Bering. Sam loved to read (usually two books at a time), to take long walks (usually in St. Vital Park) and to travel. Whether it was motoring trips to Alberta and B.C. to visit friends and family, hot holidays to Mexico or the countless Tour Bus trips with close friends to various casino resorts in the States, it didn't matter, she loved them all. Her fondest memories are of the Christmas 2004 vacation to Colombia to visit Rob and Magaly, in Medellin, and the classic January 2003 wedding of Kris and Claude, with immediate family, the two sisters-in-law, and the Linton entourage, barefoot on the beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Sam had a kind and gentle nature with inner strength and great courage that enabled her to battle the disease that ultimately took her body but not her mind. She cared deeply for her family and friends and her warmth, sense of humour and intelligence endeared her to all she met. She was a great wife, a great mom and a great friend. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Ian Maxwell and his team in the Oncology Centre at Victoria General Hospital for their love and dedication with special thanks to Dr. Chris Ogaranko. Similarly, the family extends their appreciation to the WRHA Palliative Care nurses, who visited Sam at home and to the doctors, nurses and attendants, of 3E at Riverview Health Centre, whose attention and compassion allowed Sam to spend her final days in comfort and to pass with dignity. Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of Sam's life will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in her name, to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3 or to CancerCare Manitoba, Room ON 1160-675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2009