Obituary of Eleanor F Bowen

Eleanor Lois (FitzGerald) Bowen lived a beautiful long life. She passed at 94 years of age on Christmas morning. She was born in New Britain, CT. to Charles and Gladys (Warnock) FitzGerald. The oldest of three and the only girl, she took her role of big sister very seriously. She maintained close relationships with her brothers and their families throughout her life.

On a trip to Hammonasset State Beach with her girlfriends, Eleanor (Ellie) met the love of her life on the board walk. She and Maurice (Maury) Bowen would marry in 1954. Their union began a life of adventure, travels and family get-togethers. They spent three years in France and traveled through Europe. Throughout the years they took many vacations with friends and various family members to Europe and across the USA including Hawaii. One of her favorite destinations was Gloucester, MA. She would spend a few weeks every summer with Maury, her children and grandchildren. She had a favorite spot on the porch where the last light of sun would shine and you would find her reading and rocking contently. In her nineties Ellie traveled to South Carolina to visit her great grandchildren. She was always up for an adventure!

Ellie never had a sister but was blessed with having three incredible loving sisters-in-law who treated her like a sister. Marjorie (Bowen) Farren, Arlene (Bowen) Sullivan and Marilyn (Bowen) Nicholson.

Ellie was employed at the Brooklyn School for over thirty years in various roles as a paraprofessional. She loved working with children. She forged many wonderful relationships over the course of her employment. She participated in a weekly breakfast group until she was 92. It was a highlight of her week.

Ellie was an avid bridge player and played well into her 90’s. She loved reading and would fight you for the morning crossword puzzle. She was great at Trivia often helping her team win while playing at Maury’s Pub. She enjoyed being a member of the Garden Club. She was an active parishioner at Our Lady of La Salette Church.

She leaves her three daughters Maura Bowen of Charleston, S.C., Stacey Katz and her husband David of Amherst, MA, Thera Bowen and her husband Andy Stack of Woodbridge, CT, daughter-in-law, Cheryl Bowen, brother David FitzGerald and his wife Elaine Kolish of Alexandria, VA, grandchildren Jeremy Jax and his wife Gretchen, Meghan Jax and her partner Jay Yonush, Kayla Brown and her husband Jimmy, Melissa Katz, Michael Katz and his fiancée Qi Yang, Rachel Pretlove and her husband Miles, Sam Stack and his wife Laura, Allie Stack and her partner Gillan Doty, great grandchildren Hailey and Lauren Brown, Quinn Stack, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Maurice F. Bowen, son Gregory C. Bowen her brother Jack FitzGerald and sister -in-law,  Joan FitzGerald.

We would like thank David FitzGerald and Elaine Kolish for their advice and support over the years. We would like to thank Kay for her wonderful loving care over the past four years.

Funeral service will be at 12:00 PM (Noon) on January 10, 2026 at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds Street, Danielson, CT. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/ donate) or your favorite charity. Share a memory at Gagnonandcostellofh.com