Margaret Mardi Amelia Blun Bowden

Margaret Amelia Blun Bowden, known as Mardi, died Monday, October 30, 2006 under the care of Hospice. Born in Savannah, Georgia on November 30, 1917, she was the daughter of Fannie Melton Haile Blun and Walter Savage Blun. Mrs. Bowden was raised by her “Granny”, Mrs. John Chestnut Haile, as her mother died when she was one year old. She also spent a great deal of time in the home of her Aunt and Uncle, Margaret and Sam Haile, and their daughters, Peggy H. Harris, Katherine H. Reynolds, and Frances H. Kelleher. Later, her father married Edith Battey and she moved in with them. Mrs. Bowden attended Pape School in Savannah, graduated from Ashley Hall in Charleston, and graduated from Barnard College.

On May 3, 1940, Mardi Blun married Dr. Ralph O. Bowden, Jr. of Hampton, SC. They and their three children made their home in Savannah where Dr. Bowden practiced medicine. An avid reader and bridge player, Mrs. Bowden was a member of The Junior League and became genealogist for the Colonial Dames. She loved her family, adored her friends, and cherished her church, St. John’s Episcopal.

Mrs. Bowden was predeceased by her husband of almost 54 years; a son, Ralph O. Bowden, III; a granddaughter, Elizabeth Lee Bowden Betsy; and her sister, Fannie B. Van Schaick.

Surviving family members include her son, Walter B. Bowden, Sr. and his wife, Patsy; her daughter, Margaret B. Wylly and her husband, John; her sister, Constance B. Cann; and daughter-in-law, Jane W. Pressly and her husband, Paul. She had six surviving grandchildren: Walter B. Bowden, Jr. and his fiancé, Ashley Lamas; Melanie B. Simon and her husband, Luis; Ralph O. Bowden, IV Rob and his wife, Jo Anne; John C. Wylly, III and his wife, Julia; Susan W. Evans; and Margaret Amelia Wylly Amy and her fiancé, Stephen Reagin. Mrs. Bowden also had six great grandchildren, Elizabeth and Henry Bowden, Jack and Evan Wylly, and Amelia and Anna Evans, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be a visitation at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel on Thursday, November 2, 2006 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Graveside service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 3, 2006 at Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park conducted by the Reverend Gavin Dunbar of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Remembrances: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1 West Macon Street, Savannah, GA 31401 or Hospice Savannah, Inc., P.O> Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.