Zelma Keblaitis Bowers

Born June 11, 1910 passed peacefully in the comfort of her family's care Wednesday, July 31, 2013 of natural causes in her home in Arlington, VA at the age of 103. Mrs. Bowers was a member of St Ann's Catholic Church in Arlington, VA. Mrs. Bowers was born in Thomas, West Virginia; the daughter of Jonas and Zelma Keblaitis from Vilkaviškis, Lithuania. Mrs. Bowers graduated from Thomas High School in Thomas, WV in 1928, where in addition to being an outstanding student, was captain of their basketball team. Upon graduation, Mrs. Bowers moved to the Washington DC area. Mrs. Bowers obtained her nursing degree from Providence Hospital in 1933. After which she was a pulmonary care specialist for the Visiting Nurses Association. In August of 1951, Mrs. Bowers continued her career in nursing with the Arlington County Health Department with the Bureau of Public Health Nursing until she retired in July 1975. In addition to her years of service to the community, Mrs. Bowers was an avid gardener, had a wonderful sense of humor and her love of family was unmatched. Mrs. Bowers was preceded in death by her husband, Harris Rockford Bowers, Washington, D.C.; son, Joseph Raymond Bowers, of Falls Church, VA, daughter, Mary Kathryne Rogers of Congers, NY; siblings Peter John Keblaitis of Detroit MI, John Paul Keblaitis of Dearborn, MI, Mary Maas of Livonia, MI and Raymond Victor Keblaitis of St. Clair, MI. Mrs. Bowers is survived by five grandchildren and their spouses; Kris Bowers Haefer of Memphis, TN, Michael R. Bowers of Ashburn, VA, Kathleen Rogers McInerney of New York, NY, Maureen Rogers Humphrey of West Field, NJ and Michele Rogers Doyle of Newtown, CT; 10 great-grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews.