Filomena Abueg Doneza Bowen passed peacefully from this world in her daughter's home surrounded by her loved ones on Sept 29, 2022. Fil was born on Dec 12, 1934, to Santiago and Pacifica Doneza in Manila, Philippines. She survived the bombing of the P.I. during WWII, later met, then married her military husband, Merlin Bowen Jr., on June 6, 1958. She later joined him in the USA in1959 and was proud to become a US citizen.
They had two children, for whom she worked hard to provide for, and was with her husband until his death in 1987. She worked diligently to learn her new culture, language, and earned her electronics certification and HAM license at a time when women did not commonly work in the field. She worked in various positions in the electronics industry in Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Their family moved to Utah in 1970, where there were scant electronic opportunities, so she made the most of the situation by working in the textile industry, later at the Salt Lake Airport, and then with the kids she loved at Kennedy Junior High who affectionately knew her as Fillie. She was always industrious and had the amazing ability to thrive wherever she was. We are deeply grateful for her strength and perseverance through the years.
Filomena found great pleasure in square and ballroom dancing, also going to classic car shows with her friend and companion of 27 years, Don Pittman. She was the luckiest person we knew as she was always winning, whether it be door prizes, raffles, games or whatever else she tried. She also looked forward to visits from her treasured son, from out-of-state. Fil was a loving and caring person with a free spirit and bright and colorful personality. She would do her best to bring joy and happiness to the people around her. She will be missed by her family, her longtime companion, and her friends.
She is survived by her two children, Merlin (Glinell) Bowen III and Jean (Robert) Johnson, 12 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren, and Don, who lovingly stayed by her side until her passing. She is preceded in death by her husband, Merlin, and her sister, Natividad "Nancy" Marshall Champ.
Mom, we give you our love and gratitude with all our hearts; you will be remembered and loved, always.
Services for Filomena will be held at Valley View Funeral Home, Located at 4335 w 4100 s West Valley Utah, on October 13th at 12:00 pm.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValleyViewFuneral.com for the BOWEN family.
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