Eleanor Bowden

Eleanor was born in Muskegon, Michigan on November 14, 1923 to Fred and Myrtle Wolfe. As a young girl, she and her sister Marjorie lived on Peck Street in Muskegon Heights and attended Glendale Elementary, Muskegon Heights Junior High and High School. Eleanor played the French horn in the school band and

Muskegon Symphonic Orchestra. She was class president of her Junior class and V.P. of her Senior class. She dated and married Tom Begley, a distinguished Army Officer, with whom she had six children: Luanne Williams, Paula Vaagen, Phyllis Bookbinder, June Begley, William Begley, and Alan Begley. She was the beloved grandmother of Spencer Copple, Holly Rollins-Corrick, Wesley Rollins, Melissa Silva, Skyler Burreson, Alex Burreson, Garrett Burreson, Jared Holmberg, Emma Begley, Jack Begley, Jonathan Gosney, and Christopher Gosney. She is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren.

Eleanor taught Sunday school at Central Methodist Church in Muskegon in the early 1950’s. With her military husband and a growing family, she moved all over the U.S. and lived in Europe for three years. In early 1960, the family settled in Northern Virginia and Eleanor worked for Civil Service. In later years, she married George Bowden and moved to Fairhope, Alabama. After retirement, Eleanor and George moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Always ready to go, Eleanor enjoyed traveling the world. She had a witty sense of humor and always took pride in her appearance. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority, a talented seamstress, a devout Christian, and sang in several church choirs. In her younger days, she loved to go dancing at Fruitport. She spent her remaining years back in Muskegon. Many people who knew Eleanor called her an angel. The sparkle in her eyes and her warm smile will always be remembered.