MADAM JUSTICE CLAUDIA MYRNA BOWMAN

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MADAM JUSTICE CLAUDIA MYRNA BOWMAN May 18, 1932 - March 25, 2004 The family of Myrna Bowman announces her death at home on March 25, 2004. Myrna will be lovingly remembered by daughters, Morva (Alan), Myfanwy (John) and Megan; grandsons, Rhys and Bran; brothers-in-law, Hugh (Margaret) of Montreal and Bruce of Winnipeg; as well as the many friends and colleagues with whom she worked over a long and respected career in the law. Born in Winnipeg in 1932, Myrna was educated in Winnipeg schools and worked initially as a secretary following high school. In 1955 Myrna married David E. Bowman, a newly called lawyer and fellow Young Liberal. Their mutual love and support of each other throughout 49 years of marriage, until Davids death in 2003, were an outstanding example of marriage as a partnership and a source of strength. Following her marriage, Myrna went on to university, first in Arts and ultimately in Law. She received many prizes during her law school career, culminating in the Alexander Morris Exhibition Prize for the highest aggregate standing over the four years. Myrna was called to the Bar of Manitoba on March 28, 1966. Myrna had a distinguished career in the law, practising initially with the firm of Munson and Crawford and from 1968 to 1983 in partnership with her husband David in the firm of Bowman and Bowman. While maintaining a busy practice in family law, she contributed to her profession in a number of ways. She was an active member of the Canadian Bar Association and the Manitoba Bar Association, serving on various committees, particularly the Family Law Sub-Section and Public Relations Committee. In 1969 Myrna chaired the Manitoba Censorship Review Board, and from 1978 to 1983 served as an Elected Bencher of the Law Society of Manitoba, chairing or participating in several committees. From 1971 to 1977 she was appointed a part-time Provincial Judge, and from 1971 to 1977 acted as a member of the Manitoba Law Reform Commission. From 1976 to 1983 Myrna served as an Executive Member of the Manitoba Trial Lawyers Association. In 1978 she was a consultant to the Government of Manitoba - Family Law Review Committee, leading to enrollment of a new Family Maintenance and Marital Property Act, and in 1979 consulted with the Law Reform Commission of Canada on Maintenance Enforcement. From 1972 to 1983 she also lectured in Family Law for the Bar Admission Course of the Law Society of Manitoba. In 1981 Myrna Bowman was appointed Queens Counsel, and in October 1983 a judge of the Court of Queens Bench for Manitoba, where she served with distinction in the Family Division from 1984 until her death. In addition to her many professional activities, Myrna volunteered extensively in her private life, acting at various times as board member or chair for the Unitarian Church of Winnipeg, Parents Without Partners, Advisory Board of Y.W.C.A. of Winnipeg, Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, Skills Unlimited, and the Canada Pension Plan Advisory Committee. She exemplified to her family the values of compassion and involvement in her community, of humour, hard work and generosity. Possessed of an incisive and perceptive mind, she was well known for getting straight to the point and not suffering fools gladly, or at all. Her sense of humour and pithy sayings stayed with her to the end. Myrnas devotion to animals of all sorts was legendary, and her home was always a haven for various four-footed friends. In addition, over the years she and David opened their home to many young people needing a temporary refuge. Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 31 at the Unitarian Church of Winnipeg, 603 Wellington Cres. Flowers gratefully declined. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society. Arrangements care of Neil Bardal Inc.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2004