Claire Ann Bowlin

OBITUARY INFORMATION: CLAIRE ANN BOWLIN Claire Ann Bowlin was born the daughter of Sebastian and Magdelena (Mock) Fettig in Hamilton, Montana on September 19, 1944, one of eleven children. When Claire Ann was 7, the family moved to Coos Bay where she attended grade school. In 1954 they moved to the Newberg area and she attended Dundee Grade School, Edwards Junior High and Newberg High School. On June 8, 1962 she was married to Jay D. Bowlin at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Newberg. Jay was in the U.S. Army and they made their home in Heinsville, Georgia, where their first son, Mike, was born. They returned to Newberg after Jay’s discharge in June of 1964. In 1967 they moved to Dayton and raised their family of five children. Claire Ann was well known in her community; she often volunteered at her children’s school functions and was “Mom and Grandma” to many of their friends. She was a woman of incredible artistic talent, ranging from chain saw carving to painting, both with oils and watercolors. She loved to tend her gardens and had one of the most beautiful yards in her neighborhood. Other pastimes were playing computer games and going to the casino where “Queen of the Nile” was her favorite slot machine. She was our Queen of the Nile. Family was most important in her life. Each of her children was her favorite and the same guideline applied to her 17 grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. Cooking was not one of her favorite things to do but homemade chocolate pudding, with lumps, and toast was a favorite breakfast treat for all her children and grandchildren. Pork roast was her other specialty. Claire Ann has been in failing health with cancer and was able to be at her home in Dayton thanks to the care provided by her doctors and the many ways Willamette Valley Hospice workers made her last days better. On Tuesday, October 19, 2010, just one month after her 66th birthday, Claire Ann died at home after rallying for one last “big party” surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and other close family members Surviving and left to honor her life are: Her husband, Jay D. Bowlin of Dayton; five children, Michael Sibastian (Sheri Lynn) Bowlin, Paula Marie (Jeffrey) Sedivec, Angela DeAnn (Tony) Bernards, John Paul (Noelle) Bowlin, and Jay David (Ana Marie) Bowlin all of Dayton; two brothers, LaVerne Fettig and Donald Fettig, both of Lafayette; two sisters, RaNaye Hoffman of Tigard and Elvira Peters of Newberg; seventeen grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews including Tom Foster who she thought was her brother because he lived in their home when she was a small child; and a host of friends who have come to know and appreciate her as she has lived in our community. Preceding her in death were her parents; one brother, LeRoy Fettig; and five sisters, Martina Houghton, Margaret Foster, Marion Burgoyne, Caroline Gray and Loretta South. Memorial services will be held Monday, October 25, 1:00 p.m. at Attrell’s Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule funeral home, with Rev. James Connelly and Roger Lorenzen officiating. Interment is private. Memorial contributions may be made to Willamette Valley Cancer Center or Willamette Valley Hospice. Copy to: News Register/ Newberg Graphic/ G/ ours

Claire Ann Bowlin

October 19, 1944 - October 19, 2010