Obituary of Myrna Lenore Bowman

Myrna Lenore Bowman passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 4, 2005, and joined her beloved husband, Roger. Myrna grew up in the Mission district of Calgary. After graduating from Western Canada High School, she pursued her life’s passion in nursing. She obtained her Registered Nursing diploma from the Holy Cross School of Nursing in 1964, and began her nursing career in Edmonton at University Hospital in General Medicine. She returned to the Holy Cross, and then travelled on to work at the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. In 1969, she and Roger moved back to Calgary, and their family grew with the birth of their three sons, Trevor (1969), Todd (1972) and Tyler (1975). She continued to nurse part-time as the boys got older and in the late 1970’s, Myrna’s nursing focus changed from general medicine to the field of mental health. Myrna’s mental health career spanned over thirty years, and took her from the Holy Cross, to the Calgary General Hospital and finally to the Rockyview Hospital, where she worked until her passing. A highlight of her career was earning her Mental Health Certificate from Mount Royal College in 1988. Myrna was honoured to be a Nurse, and she was deeply loved by her co-workers and patients alike. Throughout the successful growth of Roger’s oil and gas service company, Myrna was a pillar of strength and support to Roger and their boys. As they passed through life together Myrna and Roger enjoyed travelling throughout the world, spending the weekend with the boys at the family cabin in Fairmont, BC and on family vacations. They did this in order to teach her boys some “culture” and “decorum”. Myrna was very proud of her Roger and loved him so very deeply. Her “Purdy” sense of humour and her quick wit kept everyone on their toes. Myrna’s overwhelming sense of caring extended far beyond nursing. She was a great confidant, a friend and trusted ally for her family and very wide circle of friends. Myrna was also a member of the Ranchmen’s Club. When her husband Roger passed away, Myrna took charge of ensuring her three boys grew up to be young men of integrity, honesty and kindness, just as their father. Myrna’s guidance and support for her boys was unparalleled, and she was their greatest champion. Occasionally, she would smirk and laugh to herself each time she caught a glimpse of Roger in each of her sons and say “you know who you sound like….” . Myrna cared deeply for her many, many friends who brought much joy to her life. She gave of herself completely in all that she did and all that she was to the people and pets in her life. Her brother Larry was a source of strength and an inspiration to her and they were as close as a brother and sister could be. Myrna requested that her funeral be a “Celebration of her life”. Myrna is survived by her three loving sons, Trevor (Jolinda), Todd and Tyler. She is also survived by her dear, dear brother Larry Purdy; her nieces, Caroline (Carey) Bracko and Kellie-Anne (Ryan) Cartwright; her nephews Rob (Julia) Purdy and Brad Purdy; and her grandnieces and grandnephews, Kelsey, Kayla, Connor and Cole Cartwright, Lindsay and Riley Bracko, and Spencer Purdy; Jolinda’s children, Geoff and Jenessa; and her beloved dogs (“dogets”) Tory, Guiness and Benson. Myrna was predeceased by her father Clarence Purdy in 1974, and her mother Elizabeth Purdy in 1970. Myrna’s greatest love was for her husband Roger who she met while at nursing school. They married in January 1966. Roger passed away in 1994. He was the love of her life and she missed him deeply. “Great love lives on.” Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) today, September 8, 2005 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at Holy Nativity Anglican Church (12707 Bonaventure Drive S.E.) on Friday, September 9, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Kathleen Raluski, Presider. Graveside Service to follow at Burnsland Cemetery. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Humane Society (S.P.C.A.), 1323 – 36 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 6T6 Telephone: (403) 250-7722 ext. 309. In living memory of Myrna Bowman, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E., CALGARY. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.