June B. Bowen

June B. Bowen passed away suddenly on Dec. 3, 2013, at her home in Napa. She was recently predeceased on Nov. 17, 2013, by her beloved husband of 52 years, Arthur (Art) Lorenzo Bowen.

June was born on Aug. 11, 1932, in Detroit. At a young age, her family moved to Napa and she grew up in the Coombsville area, attending grade school at Mount George Elementary and high school at Napa Union High School. School activities, especially in her high school music department, were uppermost in June’s busy life. It was there that she met Art.

Graduating in 1950, June worked for a time, then attended and graduated from Sacramento State University to become a teacher. She and Art renewed their friendship and were married on June 6, 1961, at the Presbyterian Chapel in Napa. This happy union lasted for 52 years.

Between their first meeting and their deaths, Art and June lived a most rich and meaningful life, involved in their careers, their community, family, friendship circles and their church. June and Art became a members of First Christian Church in 1989, where they practiced their strong faith and became pillars within the church.

After a short stint at an insurance company and a Cupertino school, June was hired at Browns Valley Elementary School, where she remained for 33 years as a third-grade teacher. Colleagues have described her as a most excellent, dedicated, compassionate educator who was loved by students, teachers and parents alike.

In addition to their home and work lives, June and Art remodeled their home in Napa into a bed and breakfast, the Goodman House; and despite their busy work careers, they operated graciously for a number of years. June was an outstanding innkeeper and hostess, serving up delicious homemade breakfasts and other meals as well. Her colleagues and family report many weddings and Christmas parties there — “beautiful, warm, and festive ... apt descriptions of June herself.”

June and Art opened their home to a number of foster children, several of whom continued to have regular contact with them over the years.

In 1991, June was awarded “Teacher of the Year” from the Napa Valley Unified School District. After her retirement in 1994, she never lost her love of education, and continued organizing her high school reunions and attending school functions, especially musical events. She and Art supported Napa High School music programs for many years.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Art, her parents, and seven of her eight siblings. She is survived by her sons, Alan Watkins of Napa, and Michael Strong of San Jose; grandchildren, Randy Watkins Paul of North Carolina, Timothy Watkins of Colorado, and Chelsea Strong Terrill (Trevor) and Hanna Strong of Napa; and great-granddaughter, Delaney Terrill. Also surviving are her sister, Irene (Bogdanski) Patrus of North Carolina; nieces, Michele Bogdanski of Ohio, and Lorraine Luck of Oregon; a grand-nephew, Kevin Goza of Napa; sisters-in-law, Ruth Bogdanski of Nevada, and Erwina Musick of Rio Vista, Calif.; nephews, Stanley and Dan Musick of Vacaville, Calif.; and a niece, Connie Musick of Tracy, Calif.

June was interred Dec. 11 at the Dixon Veterans Memorial Cemetery with her husband, Art.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21 at the First Christian Church, 2659 First St. in Napa. Condolences and memories may be shared at TreadwayWigger.com. June wished for all donations to be made to the church; no flowers please.