Maria Dianne Bowman

Maria Dianne Bowman, daughter of the Rev. Ezra Hendley and Mrs. Cleo Hendley, and sister of Teena Dickerson, Byron Hendley, Ramona Boyce, Brenda Hendley and Sherri Chapman, came to the end of her earthly life on Sunday, December 11, 2022 in Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Gatos, California. She suffered a mild heart attack. Further medical procedures failed to restore her ability to breathe on her own. Dianne emerged from Denby High Scholl in Detroit, Michigan to enter Olivet Nazarene College, Kankakee, Illinois. There she and David met and fell in love. They married on a cold December 30, 1961. Then came a theological education in Kansas City, Missouri. Four years later they sailed to Scotland where David did Ph.D studies and Dianne gave birth to Kirk. She prepared and edited David’s thesis. Following three years on the “Old Sod”, they returned to the U.S.A. Then followed four decades of parish ministry; daughters Moira and Rachel joined along the way. Dianne both parented and joined the work force, twice with physicians and twice with attorneys. Dianne and her clergyman husband, David, devoted their lives to Christian ministry. They did so in Scotland, Michigan, Washington State, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana and California. In these congregations, Dianne brought her extensive abilities to bear as vocal soloist, choir director and handbell choir director. In semi-retirement, they moved to Saratoga, close to son Kirk and daughter-in-law Edie. Grandchildren, Nicole and Matthew, gained a close-at-hand caring grandmother. Another grandson, Ariel, son of Rachel, lives abroad in Austria. Dianne never boasted of her varied talents, including soprano vocal ability, skill in choral and handbell direction, facility in office and personnel management, knowledge in book and manuscript editing, accuracy as a tax accountant, as well as being a great cook and welcoming hostess. Above all, Dianne gave unstinting love and fidelity to her husband and children. Her devotion knew no bounds. A Christian believer who weathered life’s storm, beautiful inside and out, the beatitude applies, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” A well-attended service to the Glory of God and in gratitude for Dianne’s life took place in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Saratoga, California on Sunday December 18th. She had served this congregation as Choir Director and Handbell Choir Director from 2008-2017. A “Witness to the Resurrection” service is set for Bethel United Church of Christ, 10425 Bethel Church Road, Manchester, Michigan on Saturday, January 28, at 2:00 PM. An interment service will follow and will be held in the Bethel Church Cemetery. Attendees are then invited to the Fellowship Hall for a light meal. Those who wish to honor Dianne are invited to consider making a contribution in the memory of Maria Dianne Bowman to “Bread for the World”, 425 3rd Street S.W., Suite 1200, Washington D.C. 20024 (https://www.bread.org).

Tributes

Maria Dianne Bowman

August 19, 1941 - December 11, 2022