Mary Ann Lewis Bowman

Mary Ann Lewis Bowman, affectionately known as Weedie, passed away peacefully at her home in Austin on December 26, 2016 in the presence of her loving family. Her quick wit and playful sense of humor were a delight to her family and many friends of all ages. Anchored in faith, her life was a celebration of joy, a tribute to love and an inspiration to everyone who knew her.

Mary Ann was born on March 25, 1925 in Taylor, Texas to Ray Powers Lewis and Eleanor Henderson Lewis. Her childhood was spent there and at Camp Verde in the Hill Country. She was a twirler for the Taylor High School Ducks, attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. There she met and fell in love with Bob Bowman, and they married in November, 1946.

Mary Ann always had a surprise up her sleeve and there was never a dull moment in the Bowman household. With sparkling eyes, she was always curious, always kind, and never without a rhyme or poem. She entertained with great style and flair, and her days overflowed with the laughter of friends and family. Her home was full of treasures from her travels, seashells from her favorite beaches, shelves of well-loved books and always a favorite cat. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews were the light of her life, and she loved spending time with all of them.

Full of life's magic, she shared her bright spirit generously. She and her husband were founding members of Good Shepherd Church, champions of Hospice Austin and devoted supporters of St. Andrew's Episcopal School and St. Mary's Hall. She was a loyal member of her Book Club and Open Forum, and she shared her creativity and artistic talents with family, friends and many organizations from the Junior League to Laguna Gloria.

Mary Ann loved being happy, and she showed us all the beauty of a life fully lived.

Mary Ann is predeceased by her beloved husband of 47 years, Robert H. Bowman (pictured above), and by her parents. She is survived by her two sons and her daughter and their spouses, R.H. Tibaut Bowman and Shelly, of San Antonio, Molly Bowman Stephens and Bart, of Austin, and Powers Lewis Bowman and Penny, of Austin; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Tibaut Bowman, Jr. and Heather, Forrest Bowman and Meriel, Wendy Bowman, Andrew Stephens and Erin, Shelby Stephens and Rachel, Marianna Stephens Elskes and Jimmy, Joseph Bowman, and Katy Bowman; and five great grandchildren, Lola Bowman, Townsend Bowman, Wynne Stephens, Mary Caroline Stephens, and Chambers Stephens.

The family expresses profound gratitude to those who made Mary Ann's life more comfortable and joyful through their extraordinary care and loving companionship, especially Marcella Davenport and Rafaella Urline.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2016 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 3201 Windsor Rd. in Austin, following a private family interment.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Andrew's Episcopal School, 1112 West 31st Street, Austin, Texas 78705, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, Texas 78703, or the Austin Humane Society, 124 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752.