of Little Rock, AR
February 3, 1940 - November 27, 2023
Mary Claire (Fischer) Bowen of Little Rock, Arkansas passed away at age 83 on November 27, 2023, of natural causes, following a battle with Dementia. Mary Claire was born on February 3,1940 to John Erwin and Margaret Fischer of St Louis, Missouri. After graduating from Villa Duchesne High School, she went on to graduate from St Louis University with a Bachelor's in Speech Pathology.
Mary Claire led a rich and vibrant life, filled with love for her family, community involvement, and a spirit for adventure. She enjoyed bringing family and friends together for holidays and celebrations. She was active in her community as a member of Meet & Greet and enjoyed golfing, bowling, and playing cards. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed adventures such as skydiving with her son and grandsons, dogsledding in Alaska and zip lining in Costa Rica. She was never without a dog in her life and is survived by her dog Maybelle. Mary Claire especially enjoyed being a grandmother and great-grandmother and spoiling them every chance she had.
Mary Claire cherished her faith and was an active member of the Catholic Church. She was a member of St Gerard Majella Parish in St Louis and worked in the school office. Upon moving to Little Rock, Arkansas, she joined Christ the King Parish and was an active member singing in the choir (including an appearance at Lincoln Center in New York City), supporting mission trips, a member of the Serra Club and took on the task of sending birthday cards to the Seminarians. Mary Claire also joined the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1994, and was an active member reaching the rank of Dame of the Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre. She contributed to the mission of the Order as well actively participating in the Diocese of Little Rock's local events including the Annual Investiture Meetings when held in Little Rock.
Mary Claire is preceded in death by her parents John Erwin and Margaret Fischer and her son-in-law Tom Bartolin. She is survived by brothers Jack (Joy), Tom (Cam) and Bill Fischer and sister Dianne (Larry) Neiman, the father of her children Mike Bowen; and children Theresa Bartolin, John (Barb) and Michael (Joyce) Bowen, grandchildren Kevin (Bailey), Brian, and Patrick (Brianna) Bartolin, David and Emily Bowen (Willie Carter), Katie Lehnig and Kristine (David)Schoenberg, great-grandchild Colton Bartolin and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be Tuesday December 12th from 6-7:30 pm with Rosary at 6:30pm. Mass followed by Inurnment will be at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday December 13th at Christ the King Catholic Church 4000 N. Rodney Parham Rd. Little Rock, AR 72212. Complete obituary and online condolences to the family may be made at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
The family would also like to acknowledge the many caregivers, friends and family for all of their support and prayers. A special Thank You to Brianna and Theresa for all they did. We couldn't have done it without everyone's help as Mary Claire endured this disease.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Alzheimer's Association https://act.alz.org/donate
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15 Condolence(s)
Mary Drone
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Mary Claire was a long-time dear friend. Condolences to her family.
Anita Spence
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Praying for comfort for you and your family. She was a special lady and will be remembered by everyone she touched.
Linda Kay White
Monday, December 11, 2023
I knew Mary Claire through EOHSJ and her sister Dianne. She was always very active until she became ill. She will be missed.
Susy Korth
Sunday, December 10, 2023
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to know Mary Claire when I lived in Little Rock. I will always remember her smile and friendliness. I loved going to her house for game day. She was such a fun person. She will be missed.
Alice Donohue
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Mary Claire was a very good friend. We were in the choir together for many years. She is a special person and I miss her smile and wave when seeing her in recent times at Mass. So sorry she suffered with this horrible disease. I pray for the family.
Bernie Turgeon
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Mary Claire was a woman of great faith, a dear friend, and a dedicated member of the CTK Music Ministry for many, many years. We'll all never forget those amazing Pool Parties thrown annually for the Choir at her lovely home...she and her family were the consummate hosts! Great fun was ALWAYS had by all! You are missed, dear friend...please keep watch over all of us from above.
Pat Freund
Monday, December 4, 2023
Mary Claire was a loving, warm friend. She was a people person. She loved her family, friends, and her church. She is so special to so many families when we were parenting families. She was joyful and always positive. She will be missed by so many.
Bob and Nancy Noonan
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Our life is filled with happy memories of MaryClaire. First Communion, grade school, high school parties, wedding shower, baby shower, and my 16th birthday party to which she brought her cousin Bob for which I am most greatful. She was my maid-of-honor. Maryclaire had the best ideas for parties & family gatherings. Family was every thing to her. And she was every thing to us. God bless you all.
Cathy Waymire
Sunday, December 3, 2023
What a Legacy she left behind. She is now whole again and enjoying all that Heaven has in store for us. God Bless you all , and you all are in my prayers.
Cathy Waymire
Carol Mulach
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Mary Claire was an awesome part of all of the Meet & Greet friends who knew her. So many times she opened her home to us for numerous social events. A perfect hostess! We all have missed her presence among us. It was a blessing to know her.
Carol Mulach
Donna Eastoe
Sunday, December 3, 2023
My husband and I met Mary Claire on a cruise to Alaska. We were seated together for meals in the ship’s dining room and were delighted by her humour, shining eyes, wonderful smile and interesting character. I visited her and my other wonderful Little Rock friends four times since our cruise. I learned that she was very active socially and with her church. She was very generous. She will be missed -,but she’s kicking up her heels in heaven.
Denise M Bischof
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Dear Joyce & Michael and the entire Bowen family,
Mary Claire led a remarkable life. I remember meeting her a few times but I had no idea the breadth of her life experience and faith in God. Dog sledding?? So cool!
I imagine this journey has been so very difficult for her and all of you. She is in good hands now.
Sending love, prayers, and hugs,
Greg and Denise
Grace Evans
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Such a beautiful life and legacy. Our heartfelt sympathy for your loss. God Bless and comfort you, Grace Evans
mary catlett
Friday, December 1, 2023
so sorry for the loss of Maryclaire ! my thoughts and prayers are with the family’s and friends of her thank you for giving me the honor of caring for her and getting to know her and the whole family! she will be loved and missed always! love hugs and prayers for you all! Mary Catlett
Mary Jo Lewno
Friday, December 1, 2023
Mary Claire was a dear friend and I will cherish the happy memories of the many activities we shared in Alaska dog-sledding, Costa Rica zip lining and snorkeling, Ireland kissing the Blarney Stone and so many more! She was an amazing lady and I will miss her until I see her again.