Charlotte (Silverman) Bowman

Charlotte Bowman of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 100 years on May 20th, 2024 surrounded by loving family. 

A devoted and beloved wife to the late Barton Bowman; a loving mother to her six children: Jessica Augustine (John), Ruth Ann Harding (the late Claude), Elaine Street (the late Darrell), Susan Loevsky (Mike), Michael Bowman (Amy), and Paul Bowman (Pat); a cherished grandmother to seven grandchildren: the late Robert, the late Darrell, Michelle (Ed), Jyll (Nick), Sharon (Lee), Steven (Lila), and Mary; and seven great grandchildren: Kayla, Nicolas, Xavier, Joey, Sam, Steven, and Ryan; plus nieces and nephews and friends who adored her. 

Charlotte who was also known as Mom and Grammy plus her nickname Chickie, was raised in South Philadelphia and Strawberry Mansion after her mother and father came over from Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution. She was the youngest of 10 siblings (all predeceased). During World War II, she served as a Yeoman (administrative assistant) in the U.S. Navy, based at Hunter College in New York. In her career she was a waitress at Horn & Hardart's in downtown Philadelphia where she met her husband Barton. She was also a waitress at Linton's, and worked at the Center City Wanamaker's and at Dairy Maid, a luncheonette in Logan. She and her husband Barton, an Army veteran of World War II, who passed in 2007, raised their family in Logan. Years later when their kids were grown, they moved from Logan to the Northeast section of Philadelphia where both resided until their passings.

Our Mom/Grammy was a one-of-a-kind woman. She was the hardest working, caring, sweet, genuine, smart, sassy, empathetic, sympathetic, selfless woman you would ever want to meet. Anyone she came in contact with loved her and was a better person for knowing her. She had the biggest, brightest, kindest smile that would light up a whole room; she could make anyone smile even on their worst day. There isn't a person who knew her that didn't love her. She told amazing stories and had so much wisdom which she gave. She loved her husband, kids, grandkids, and great grandkids fiercely. She was always at her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids events such as school plays, dance recitals, graduations, sports games, and made them feel so special and loved; even the family that lived far away. There is nothing she would not do for our family, her and our Dad/Poppy were always there for all of us. She was so strong, no matter what she was going through she would never let you see her sweat, she put everyone else before herself. She was so smart and meticulous; she took the best notes and never missed anything, especially always marking birthdays on the calendar.

She married Barton the love of her life when she was 24 years old, and they lived and loved until his passing in 2007; but the love never stopped. She loved going to church at Bethesda Presbyterian with our Dad/Poppy and all of the different functions and activities with their church family including going down the shore. She and her husband Barton belonged to the Best Western swim club which they had many fun times at, and summers were spent there with their kids and grandkids, including watermelon races. She had such a taste for life, she was so vibrant and always wanted to be outside; she loved the summer, the pool, and sunny warm weather. She loved going shopping, reading, getting her hair and nails done and she was always the best dressed- she loved to color coordinate her outfits. She was such an amazing cook some of her most famous meals for our family were her beef stew and pork chops and sauerkraut with apples. She loved flowers whether buying them, planting them or receiving them as gifts- they brought her joy. She was the most sentimental person, everything she did she put so much effort, love, and care into especially buying cards- she would stand in the card section for a while before picking out a birthday card or any card because she wanted to make sure it was just right, not any card would do.

She loved taking photographs; lots of our memories are of Mom/Grammy pulling out of her purse or walker a polaroid camera that clicks, and you get developed at the store. Our family has containers and containers of photos and that is so special because she wanted every moment in our lives to be remembered and for us to feel that love. She loved music, dancing, and listening to Frank Sinatra. She loved food especially sweets; dessert was always her favorite part of the meal, as well as her hot coffee/tea and hot soup. She loved going shopping, some of her favorite stores were Big Lots, Boscov's, Dollar Tree, Bath and Body Works, and so many more. Our Mom/Grammy was the glue of our family and all of us, plus everyone who came in contact with her was blessed by her presence and spirit.  

Relatives and friends are invited to share condolences with Charlotte's family on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10 to 11 am at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 808 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115. Memorial Service at 11 am. Military Honors will follow the service in church. Interment will be held privately. Charlotte's family suggests a contribution in her name to the Wounded Warrior Project http://woundedwarriorproject.org, or a charity of the donor's choice. 

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