Marilyn B. Bowne, age 82, a resident of Wheaton, IL and formerly of Sanford, NC, Chatham, NJ and Brooklyn, NY, died suddenly Wednesday, April 13. She was born in Brooklyn on January 22, 1923 to John and Gertrude Bargfrede.

She attended PS 193 and Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn Heights, NY and Katherine Gibbs School in Manhattan. On January 11, 1945 she married Marine Corps Staff Sergeant William Henry Bowne Jr. in New Bern, NC. They lived in Brooklyn until 1960 when they moved to Chatham Township, NJ. She taught preschool at Country Day School in New Providence, NJ. In 1983 they retired to Carolina Trace in Sanford, NC. She received the Governor's Volunteer of the Year Award for her extraordinary service at The Center for Independent Living. Marilyn was treasurer of the Quester's , secretary of the Garden Club, and enjoyed water aerobics, bridge, hand work, gardening and reading. Most of all she loved her husband, family and dear friends.

After her beloved Bill died in 2001 she joined her son's family in Wheaton, IL where she remained active with her hand work, reading and water aerobics. She continued to travel to her daughter's home in Villanova, PA and to visit friends.

She is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth (Harry) Dittmann of Villanova, PA and one son William (Sherry) Bowne of Wheaton, four grandchildren, Courtney (Kevin) Brown, Heather (Christopher) Garnett, Dana Bowne and Matthew (Stephani) Bowne, and her brother-in-law, John C. Bowne.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one brother, John William Bargfrede.

A private committal service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY.

Memorials may be directed to The Center for Independent Living, 209 Cole St., Sanford, NC 27330, a day program for adults with cognitive disabilites.

Information and on-line guest book is available at hultgrenfh.com or call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.