Mary Simer Bowman

Born Mary Elinor Simer in Chicago, IL to Dr. Parke H. Simer and Jessie Parr Simer in 1928, and raised in Elmhurst, IL Mary experienced much in her wonderful and adventure filled life, often reminiscing about life during the Great Depression, visiting family in the farm country of southern Illinois as a youth, attending and graduating from Knox College, living in Japan in her 20’s, and the great joy of raising her 4 children - with palpable love for their time spent living at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins and in Leadville.

A much-loved high school librarian at Lake County High School in Leadville in the early 1970’s, and later moving to Greeley continuing her career at Mitchner Library at UNC and adding to her family through her union with her beloved husband, D. Harold Bowman in 1975. The two were very active in the Greeley community and enjoyed participating in Greeley Retired Academic Study Program (GRASP), traveling with Elderhostel, and volunteering at the Centennial Village Museum, while collecting many friends and stories through the years. An avid reader and crafter, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will remember her for her love of playing cards and her playful, yet understated sense of humor.

Mary is survived by her 6 children, Tim Darcy and wife Meggin (former spouse Ruth Darcy - mother of Tim’s children) of Greeley, Kathleen Ottoson of Ault, CO, Robi Darcy of Basalt, CO, Laura Peterson of Frederick, CO, Dan Bowman and wife Trudi of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Judy DeLillo and husband Jim of Cedarburg, WI; 14 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. Mary is preceded in death by her parents Parke (d. 1972) and Jessie Simer (d.1992), and husband D. Harold Bowman (d. 2008).

She will be missed so very much.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., followed by a service at 1:00 p.m. at Stoddard Funeral Home; 3205 W. 28th Street; Greeley, CO. Mary will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens; 3400 W. 28th Street in Greeley.