Eileen Bowie George

Born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on July 17, 1926 to Asa Robert Bowie and Lucille Bowie, she attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL graduating with a degree in mathematics in 1948. At Northwestern, she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and played flute and piccolo in the Northwestern Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the marching band her freshman year.

Her marriage to Wm David George whom she met by mere chance in San Francisco in August 1955 was to be a partnership for life. She was working in the city after moving there from Chicago and David was in the Army, stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco. During intermission of the San Francisco Ballet, which both were attending independently, Eileen and friend went down to the Orchestra Level to seek better seating, and randomly sat next to the seat occupied by then Lt George. An immediate friendship developed and the rest is history.

Eileen was in a musical family. Her mother played piano by ear. Her brother played clarinet in the Oskaloosa city band, her father sang, and her sister played violin in the Grand Rapids, Michigan Symphony. It was only natural that that she learned flute and piccolo, which she played through high school and college and beyond. She later studied piano at the University of Texas and went on to teach piano to school age children for about thirty years in Houston, TX where they lived for 52 years.

She was an active member of the Houston Music Teachers Association, and the Forum of Music Teachers Association of Houston. She and Dr George were patrons of the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, and Rice University Shepherd School of Music. They were season ticket holders for many years and frequent attendees at private musical events given by these organizations.

Kind, loving and generous of heart, she was selfless, thoughtful, and thorough in everything she did.

Eileen is survived by her beloved husband, David of 56 years; her sister, Eleanor Sanders; her children Larry Bowie George and Shari George Walker; her grandchildren Brad, Kevin and Craig Walker; six great grandchildren, Aubrey, Brooke, Jaret, Ashton, Adalyn and Jocelyn; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Kenneth.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Weed-Corley- Fish Funeral Home, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway Texas.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to: The Shepherd Society – Rice University – The Shepherd School of Music, MS 532 – P.O. Box 1892 – Houston, Texas 77251-1892