Betty R. Bowlby

Betty Jeanette Rodler Bowlby, formerly of Mountainside, NJ passed away on February 29, 2012. Services will be private. Arrangements by Gray's, Funeral Directors, Westfield. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa on March 7, 1922 to Hilmer F. and Irene Loy Rodler. After graduation from Batten High School in Elizabeth she worked as a secretary for Gulf Oil and the FBI. In 1951, she married the love of her life, Charles H. Bowlby of Rock Island, IL, and they spent 58 happy years together. She is survived by her daughter Constance and her husband Frederick Fayen of Mountainside; son Jeff Bowlby and his wife Evelyn of Mt. Holly, NJ; daughter Sandra Bowlby and her husband Buddy Silvey of Liberty, MO; grandchildren Blake Fayen Hargrave, Julie Fayen, Jeffrey Bowlby and Mary Bowlby; and great grandson Sean Hargrave. She was predeceased by her husband in 2009 as well as her sister, Sanny J. Forest, of Cincinnati, OH. She lived in Mountainside many years, raising her family and being an active member of the community. She was a member of the Community Presbyterian Church of Mountainside and served on its Board of Trustees. She obtained an associate's degree from Union County College in 1979 and was valedictorian of her class. She enjoyed studying and speaking French, playing the piano, gardening and horseback riding, and was an avid life-long reader. In 1999, Betty and Chuck moved to Greenbrier Village in Monroe Township, and spent many happy retirement years travelling and entertaining family. She subsequently lived at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor prior to recently moving to Winchester Gardens in Maplewood. She will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her. Donations in her honor may be made to the Memorial Garden Fund of the Community Presbyterian Church of Mountainside.