Margaret Farrell Bowen

Died on July 2, 2023 at the Adder Capital Caring Hospice facility of colon cancer, a long-time resident of Annandale, VA and recently Sarasota, FL. Peg grew up in Elmira NY, graduating from Notre Dame High School before earning an A.S. degree in Executive Secretarial Science from Garland Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts in 1975.

She started her career managing logistics for PT Barnum and Bailey Circus, she told great stories of coordinating with local officials the movement of the circus through towns as well as novel ways of finding the needed hay and food for the animals. She gained extensive knowledge of how Capitol Hill worked while serving for 10 years as Personal Secretary to Congressman Bosco and Congressman Matsui. She always felt fortunate to attend two Democratic Presidential Nominating Conventions and supported the re-election campaign for Senator Inoue. She leveraged her political knowledge to serve as a senior executive Administrative Assistant for Cassidy and Associates and later for RR & G public advocacy firms. She also served as a Confidential Assistant for the U.S. International Cultural and Trade Center Commission. She dedicated her off hours as a supporter for the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. She served that organization in several critical roles over the 13 years it has existed.

Peg exhibited a talent as a brilliant events planner with an eye for detail and ambience that would enhance the most drab setting. She possessed exceptional interpersonal skills, successfully organized, coordinated and planed events of all types. Examples where Peg used her organizing and interpersonal skills: family weddings and reunions, organizing multiple social events for the Catholic community at FT Myers, supporting 2 Democratic Presidential Nominating Conventions, organizing annual meetings for the ARCWP as well as the corporate and congressional staff events she organized.

She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E Bowen II and is survived by her five step children, Michael (Judy Shampanier), Thomas (Marianne Staats), Joseph (Supattra), Paul and Rita Bowen (Matt Gatto) and ten grandchildren. She was predeceased by her eldest step son, Robert E. Bowen, III (Amy Lemmon). Peg was the youngest of four children, Thomas Farrell, Daniel (Janet) Farrell and was predeceased by her brother Michael Farrell. She was beloved by her large extended family and many friends. A Memorial Service will be held at Murphy’s Funeral Home 4510 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church, VA before her funeral. Her funeral will be held on a later date at Arlington National Cemetery followed by a brief reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. For information, please see https://arcwp.org/donate/.