DOB/DOD: November 13, 1897 (Norwalk, CT) – April 1, 1983 (Alexandria, VA); 85 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Robert A. Bowman Sr. [1890-1965] on October 24, 1931
CHILDREN: Stepson Robert A. Jr. [1916-2001]
LOCAL ADDRESS: 45 Spring Hill Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut
FAMILY: Born to James J. [1871-1927] and Margaret Reilley Cavanaugh [1878-1905]. One brother, James G. [1899-1966].
SERVICE DATES: Unknown
From The Norwalk Hour August 4, 1919
Miss Mary Cavanaugh arrived at her home in Spring Hill Avenue last evening to enjoy a three-week leave of absence from her duties as an Army nurse in the Army general hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. Miss Cavanaugh, a popular Norwalk young woman, has been serving as an Army nurse for the past several months.
From The Daily News Leader (Staunton, VA) May 8, 1946
Mrs. Mae C. Bowman of Alexandria, outgoing regional director of the American Federation of Soroptimist Clubs, presided over the weekend sessions held at Natural Bridge. She will be succeeded by Anna Rose of Montgomery County, Maryland. Photo courtesy of Alexandria Gazette.
AUTHOR NOTE: the definition of Soroptimist is “a member of an international association of professional or executive businesswomen (Soroptimist Club), devoted primarily to welfare work.
From The Norwalk Hour April 2, 1983
ALEXANDRIA, Virginia— Mae Cavanaugh Bowman, 85, of 5100 Filmore Ave., formerly of Norwalk, died Friday in Washington House Retirement Home. She was the wife of the late Alexander Bowman. Born in Norwalk, Mrs. Bowman moved to Alexandria in 1918 as a cadet nurse and had resided there for the remainder of her life. She was the first woman bacteriologist in the State of Virginia and had been a member of the American Legion Post 24. Mrs. Bowman was charter president of Soroptimist International in Alexandria and was active in helping to restore Gadsby Tavern, a historic structure in Alexandria where George Washington had lived at one time. After her retirement, she and her husband raised champion beagles at Cabo Kennels. Mrs. Bowman is survived by one stepson, Robert A. Bowman Jr., of Remo, Virginia; two granddaughters; and one great-grandson. Services will take place Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Evetly-Wheatlkey Funeral Home, 1500 West Braddock Road. Interment will be in Mount Comfort Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Obituary from the Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch April 3, 1983
Mrs. Mae Cavanaugh Bowman, who had been active in state nursing programs for more than 60 years, died Friday. She was 85. Mrs. Bowman, a graduate of the Alexandria Hospital School of Nursing, had served on the hospital corporation’s board since 1947. Considered to be the first female bacteriologist in Virginia, she also was an Alexandria welfare officer for years. Mrs. Bowman had been a member of the American Legion Post 24 since 1918 when she moved to Alexandria from Connecticut. She was a leading organizer of Soroptimist clubs in the Alexandria and Middle Atlantic areas.
Mae Cavanaugh Bowman is buried in the Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 S Kings Hwy, Alexandria, Virginia; Section: Rose Garden, Grave 85-2.
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