Sharon Bowman

When you imagine a perfect mother, someone who is caring, loving and nurturing, who always thinks of her children before herself and always acts with their best interests in her heart, then you begin to understand the way in which Sharon K. Bowman was a mother to her two children.

As World War II continued to occupy the world’s attention in 1943, Rodger and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma combined the serious mood of the country with entertainment for the first time. While Clifton McDonald was off serving his country during the war, his wife, Lillian (Delp) was back home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child. Daughter, Sharon Kaye, arrived on January 6th, the oldest of Clifton and Lillian’s four children.

Sharon spent her childhood growing up in Comstock Park, taking care of her younger siblings while her father provided for the family working for the Grand Rapids City Water Department, and her mother was a sales associate at various department stores. A few unforgettable childhood stories that Pattie liked to tell was when she and Sharon were dancing and Sharon accidentally dropped her in a bucket of water or perhaps how Sharon always insisted, but could never prove, that there were pollywogs on top of the hill called Old Baldy in town. A typical teenager, Sharon got into her share of mischief, particularly the time she wrecked her father’s first brand new car. Although against the rules, Sharon was taking a young man home that she met at the local malt shop and while the radio was blaring quite loudly, she couldn’t hear the train’s whistle, and they were hit. Thankfully, she survived, but had to face her father’s wrath.

In 1961, Sharon graduated from Comstock Park High School. She went on to attend Mercy School of Nursing in Cadillac, Michigan, and graduated as an LPN. Her nursing career began at Butterworth Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit, where she truly enjoyed helping people for many years. Unfortunately, her continuing health problems were often a hindrance to her work.

Sharon was a single mother for many years to her two children, Bryan and Cindy. As a hard worker and dedicated mother, she made her family her life’s work. She made sure her children had the help and support they needed, encouraging them in their schoolwork and making treats for their classes, while faithfully attending their sporting events. Determined to provide for her children, Sharon would spare her last dime or shirt off her back to help them. In one instance, she happily sacrificed her medicines in order for daughter Cindy to have a prom dress. Sharon loved her role as mother and grandmother, and was always available to help or spend time with her grandchildren, just as she was always willing to do with her own kids. She spoiled them with her love and attention and enjoyed taking them to new kid’s movies if they asked.

The holidays were Sharon’s favorite time of the year, for this time represented an opportunity for all of her family to come together. She would meticulously plan the Thanksgiving get together at her house, and even though the same people brought the same food every year, she always got stressed wanting everything to be perfect. At Christmas, Sharon traditionally bought every family member a new ornament for the tree. Always affectionate, she opened her heart, arms and home to those in need and gave much of her time and energy to others, especially her family.

In her free time, Sharon enjoyed a variety of hobbies including ceramics, gardening and going out to breakfast. She loved to go shopping, particularly at Frankenmuth, and once in a while enjoyed accompanying friends to the casino, trying her luck at the slots. Sharon also had a cat named Rascal that she adored, and Rascal was very loyal to Sharon, and didn’t like too many other people. Until her health began to weaken, she was also an active member in her church.

Sharon will be remembered for her greatest gift, a heart that never emptied itself of love for her children, grandchildren, friends and family. She left them with many great memories, but more importantly, she left them with the unforgettable example of what a good mother and grandmother can be.

Sharon Kaye Bowman of Greenville, MI, died suddenly on Sunday, November 7, 2004. She was preceded in death by her grandson, Dustin Bowman. Sharon’s family includes her son, Bryan (Kerri) Bowman of Cedar Springs, and her daughter, Cindy (Wayne) Stratton of Greenville; three grandchildren: Derrick, Tyler and Laurel Bowman; two brothers: James (Nancy) McDonald of Port Ritchie, FL, Thomas (Janis) McDonald; one sister, Patricia (Pattie) Featherly; several nieces and nephews.

Friends may spend time with Sharon’s family at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Tuesday, November 9, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The Life Story Service will be held on Wednesday, November 10, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Please visit Sharon’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution in her memory.