Barbara J Bowens

Barbara Jean Bowens, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 14, 2024 in her home at Addolorata Villa in Wheeling, Illinois. Barbara was born on August 15, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Daniel and Cecelia (Gavin) Patt. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Marion and brother Cyril. Barbara is survived by her loving husband Joseph, whom she married on July 10, 1954 and they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Barbara is also survived by her children Kevin (Patricia), Dan (Pat Byrne), Kathleen McGilliard (Lance), Brian, and Patricia Susmarski (Brian), her grandchildren Megan (Jon), Joey (Tana), Claire (Peter), Hanna, Emily, Tess, Matthew (Ashley), Mitchell (Julia), Morgan (Calvin), and great grandchildren Noah, Nathan, Clara, Olivia, Cayden, Paxton, Maeve, and Shae.

Barbara was a graduate of Alvernia High School, and attended a Dental Assistant program at Roosevelt University. She worked as a dental assistant (where she met her future husband Joe!) and as a sales associate at J.C. Penney.

A kind and gentle person, Barbara was devoted to her family, a loving wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, and loved entertaining on holidays and special occasions. Barbara and her family were members of St. Colette Parish since 1958.

Barbara will be laid to rest at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois. The visitation and funeral mass will be held at Addolorata Villa, 555 McHenry Road, Wheeling, Illinois 60090 on Monday, December 23, 2024. The visitation will be from 10:15am to 11 am, and the funeral mass will be at 11 am. A procession to All Saints Cemetery will follow the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Franciscan Ministries Addolorata Villa Gift of Care Program.