Stella Mary Bowen (née Penwarden)

Our beloved Stella Mary passed on peacefully in her sleep, with a smile, under the gentle morning light of the Snow Moon.

Predeceased by her devoted husband Merton Bowen and her dearest son Peter; her parents Robert James Penwarden and Charlotte Stanyer; her sister Dorothy (Penny) Ford (Eric) of Burlington ON; her brothers Garfield Penwarden (Pearl) and Robert Arnold Penwarden (Constance), as well as many of her favourite in-laws and extended family.

Stella Mary is survived by her eldest son and caregiver Bruce Bowen (Cheryl Mousseau) of Ottawa, her granddaughter Cindle (Ashley Poland) of Georgetown and her sister-in-law Helen Daneliak (late Nicholas) of Oakville.

Stella Mary delighted in her many nieces and nephews and often developed a special, unique and individual relationship with younger members of the family. Being young at heart herself, she could always be relied on for consistent support and sound, homespun advice whenever needed.

Stella Mary lived all her life in Ottawa. As a scruffy looking tomboy, she became “The Queen of Nanny Goat Hill”, climbing trees and winning her share of fist fights against boys! She attended High School of Commerce, worked as a Bell Canada telephone operator, received “Secret” clearance in WWII and made a career out of communications work. She met Merton, her “sailor boy”, as a teenager, outside Clark’s Dairy. They were devoted to each other from that point on. Corresponding through WWII, they married in 1947.

A superb cook, hosting festive meals for 30+ people, a baker with secret family recipes (butter tarts, cookies, carrot cake), a lifetime member of Centretown United Church, a devoted Senators fan, a dog whisperer, a cottager at Crow Lake, a charity supporter, mystery reader, teller of tall tales and family legends, movie fan of Bette Davis with a secret crush on Clark Gable, Stella Mary had a very special gift for making people feel comfortable around her. She helped many people over the years, both openly and often without their knowledge.

Known for her outspokenness and impish sense of humour, Stella Mary often found herself at the centre of any shenanigans! Whether dodging flying pucks at a Senators game, finding herself in the middle of a bank holdup (twice), stopping traffic in the middle of Bank St to help a homeless person, picketing as a wildcat striker, getting stuck head first in her own freezer, or getting bounced from jury duty because she “didn’t like the look of the guy” — for fun — all you had to do was follow her around!

Stella Mary cherished the support and friendship of others. We, who are left, would especially like to thank the wonderful staff and residents of Stirling Park Retirement Community who will always be more like family, for the way they welcomed her, cared for her special needs and so enriched her life. She was so happy. You are worth more than gold. We will never forget you.

Visitation to be held at the Garden Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean (near the Queensway Carleton Hospital) on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 10:00 am until the time of service at noon, followed by a reception. Interment to follow at Capital Memorial Gardens. If so desired, and in lieu of flowers, Stella would be pleased if friends support a favourite charity of their choice.