Beth P. Bowen

Surrounded by her loving family, Beth P. Bowen, was called home to God on April 21, 2025. Beth was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on June 3, 1951 to Mark Lyle Prophet and Phyllis Lee Prophet. Her early childhood was spent in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. She later moved to Arlington, Virginia with her mother, three sisters and brother. Beth remained in Arlington the rest of her life. In 1969, Beth graduated from Wakefield High School and she later attended George Mason University. For several years, she worked at the U.S. Department of State and other positions within the Federal government. Beth was a member of Arlington Forest United Methodist Church.

Beth lived a remarkably consequential life. She was a supportive daughter to her mother Phyllis, a faithful companion to her siblings, a loving wife of 46 years to her husband, Mike, a devoted mother to her children, Laine and Blake, an attentive grandmother to Nonie, Flynn and Cora, and a true friend to many.

From an early age, Beth demonstrated exceptional artistic talents. Throughout her life she was a gifted visual artist who loved sharing her works with family and friends. Beth was proficient in many art media, including: pastel, water color, charcoal, pencil, origami, collage and decoupage, calligraphy, and caricature, but one of her favorites was illustration. Beth disdained using text messages or emails to celebrate a personal achievement or holiday. Instead, she would communicate with a handwritten note tucked inside an illustrated mailed envelope, creating a treasured keepsake for the lucky recipient. She completed hundreds of illustrated letters for relatives and friends. When Beth grew up, money was scarce. She learned as a child how to make art on a shoestring budget: a tiger sculpted in the snow would have blades of grass as stripes, a found walnut shell would become a wooden doll, sticks off a dying tree would decorate an elaborate curios box, and chewing gum wrappers would be carefully folded and refolded to fashion an American flag. Visiting a thrift shop to find raw material for art projects with Beth elicited the childlike excitement and serenity of searching for shells at the beach; one never knew what the tide would bring in. She loved making things with her beautiful, skillful, and graceful hands - the only limits to her artistry were her imagination which had no limits. Beth loved art museums, and when she traveled in the U.S. and abroad, a visit to the local gallery was always on the itinerary She shared her passion for art with Mike, her children and her grandchildren, and each has become an accomplished artist in their own right (well, Cora, not yet, and Mike - not so much).

Throughout her life Beth, embraced a message of joy, hope and wonder. To say Beth was an avid reader fails to capture her passion for books. She was a voracious reader. She devoured books. In a recent conversation with Laine, she shared that E.B. White was her favorite author. She admired his unadorned language and lingering sentiment. Beth made history feel in the present. When she spoke of John James Audobon or Paul Bowles, it was as though she had just finished tea with them. Few things in life animated Beth more than discussing what she had read. She was sometimes a harsh critic. On more than one occasion having completed a book that disappointed her, she screamed out and furiously threw it down the stairs. The classics, biographies, histories, science fiction, comics, non-fiction - she loved them all. A very good day for Beth was visiting a library book sale and rummaging through the stacks. She loved finding books for her children, grandchildren and siblings. She took a special guilty pleasure in sneaking a look at the books other patrons were choosing. As a child, Beth read with her sisters; as an adult, she frequently read out of loud. On road trips to Wisconsin, Florida, and other assorted destinations, it was not unusual for her to read to us for hours at a time while driving in the car. We loved it, and she was happy in pleasing us. Of course, Beth was much more than this. She was a skilled gardener and seamstress. She made clothes, Halloween costumes and Laine’s wedding dress. She mastered needlepoint, embroidery, crochet, and patchwork. She relished a quiet evening to complete a puzzle, or a lively one to compete in a round of trivia. Beth enjoyed classical, rock, Broadway musicals, and country music. She loved all holidays -- especially Christmas. A small notebook in her purse contained a meticulous handwritten log of the thoughtful gifts she amassed steadily throughout the year, its modest size and orderly contents belying the abundance of beautiful boxes that were always difficult to contain beneath the Christmas tree. Each Christmas, she would also create a personalized ornament for Laine and Blake, commemorating a favorite memory or milestone from the previous year. Always creative and well-crafted, these thoughtful keepsakes embody the love and pride of an adoring mother, and will be treasured mementos for all the Christmases to come. One aspect of Beth’s personality that sparkled until her very last day was her wily sense of humor. She built a home where laughter, wit, and storytelling were encouraged, celebrated and perhaps best of all welcomed! In the case you ever thought a gal from the Midwest lacked edge, you would be mistaken. Beth was one of those rare individuals who could grasp every day domesticity and wind-whipping freedom in the palm of one hand. As if by magic, she built a nest for her family and friends that was as sheltering as it was wild

Beth is survived by her husband Mike, her daughter Laine Bowen (husband Matthew Watson) of Falls Church, VA, her son Blake Bowen (wife Lauren Reynolds Bowen), of Alexandria, VA, and her three grandchildren (Nonie Watson, Flynn Watson and Cora Bowen). She is also survived by her three sisters (Rebecca Lipinski, Marcia Prophet, Allyson Henrich), her brother (Daniel Prophet), four half siblings (Sean, Erin, Moira and Tatiana), as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Beth touched the lives of all who knew her. She was strong and good. She chose love and openness over ambition and pride. She believed hard work was its own reward, as she taught her children and their children to never give up on the things they cared about. Her intelligence, love of family, and humor were hallmarks of a life cherished by God. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of the Virginia Hospital Center and the Virginia Cancer Specialists for their caring support, kindness, and compassion for Beth during the last 13 years of her life.

A private memorial service for close family members and friends to celebrate Beth’s life will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Falls Church, VA at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the Dyslexia Foundation, or the Virginia Cancer Specialist Foundation in Beth’s name.

Godspeed Beth, we love you. Until we meet again.