In Memoriam

Rosemary Shafer Bowman

December 9, 1945 ~ October 28, 2012

"Class Of 1963"

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• Rosemary Shafer Bowman, 66, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at Rex Hospital, in Raleigh North Carolina.
• She was born on December 9, 1945, in Ironton, OH, beloved daughter of the late Clarence William Shafer and Rachel Merica Dillon Shafer.
• Rosemary graduated with honors from Ironton High School in 1963. She later attended Holzer Hospital School of Nursing in Gallipolis, OH, and graduated the top of her class in 1966.
• Later that year, Rosemary married the love of her life, Michael Bowman, and moved to Columbus, Ohio. During these years she was very active in her church as a pianist and member of the choir. She began working as a nurse at Mt. Carmel Hospital and later at Riverside Hospital, in the ICU. Starting her family in 1971, her daughter Shannon Michelle was born and she changed to working in a doctor's office. Rosemary and her family moved to Durham, NC, in 1976 and shortly after the move her second daughter, Erin Elizabeth was born. Rosemary returned to nursing in 1982 and worked at Duke University Medical Center for the next 8 years.
• In 1990, they all came to Raleigh calling it home. Once there, Rosemary joined her neighborhood Garden Club and later served as president. Rosemary also worked as an activist for the preservation of wild animals, most especially the protection of wolves.
• She was a dedicated lady, devoted to her family and her church; whether she was taking her daughters to dance lessons, to sporting events or simply helping on the school band boosters club, she was always kind and generous and always maintained a good sense of humor. She loved her church, being active with the Methodist Women's Circle at Mt. Sylvan Church in Durham. In Raleigh she and her family became members of St. Marks United Methodist Church. Rosemary loved travelling, reading, and singing, but above all, simply being a loving wife and mother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
• She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 46 years, Dr. Michael Bowman and her dear daughters, Shannon M. Mayo and Erin E. Bowman, all of Raleigh. She will also be deeply missed by her brothers, John William Shafer and wife Phyllis and Harold Leon Shafer and wife Selba, all of Ironton, OH, as well as many nieces and nephews.
• The family received friends and family on Thursday, November 1, from 7:00-9:00 pm, at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina. The funeral service was held at 11:00 am, on Friday, November 2, at the funeral home. Graveside service followed at Raleigh Memorial Park. Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.MitchellatRMP.com.
• R.I.P.