Marianne Bowles Obituary

Marianne Bowles, age 63, a resident of Glen Ellyn since 1987, passed away Friday, January 21, 2011 at her home. Marianne was born January 16, 1948 in St. Louis, MO. She was a producer of talent and special events for corporations throughout the 70's and 80's. Some of her clients included Abbott laboratories, Allis Chalmers and Motorola. She took great pride in matching her clients with the best in live background cocktail party music to major name talent for national sales meetings. Seeing an entire hotel ballroom give a standing ovation to her recommended talent always meant she did her job. Once she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the late 80's, Marianne retired and eventually started substitute teaching in District 87. She graduated from the Chicago Architecture Foundation docent program and began giving public and corporate tours throughout the city. Marianne graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO with a B.A. in Speech and Dramatic Art. Marianne had a lifelong interest in the theatre, as a patron, as an actor and behind the scenes in the crew. Until her death, she was a member of The Village Theatre Guild in Glen Ellyn. She was also an active member of The Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society. She served as President from 1992-1993. Until her illness grew worse in 2009, she volunteered at PADS, a community outreach for local homeless families. In 2002, Marianne -with tongue in cheek---founded her beloved "Film Fatales", a local movie appreciation group. In looking back at her life, Marianne always said her best "production" was that of her daughter, Emily, a special education teacher in Evanston, IL, as of Saturday, August 7, 2010, Marianne was thrilled to welcome Mark Raponi as her wonderful son-in-law, who is a medical linens sales representative. Marianne was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Jack and Helen Braun in 1982 and 1993 of St. Louis respectively, as well as, her dear brother, Robert, also in 1993 and from St. Louis. She remains close to her sister-in-law, Sharon and nephew Robert Thomas. She also leaves behind her first cousin, Mary Alice Schmidt and her daughters, Patricia (John) Sabo and Susan (Scott) Lackey. Memorial visitation Saturday, February 5, 2011,10:00 AM until time of Memorial Mass 11:00 AM at St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn. Followed by a luncheon in the Parish Center. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American lung Assoc. of Illinois, 3000 Kelly Lane, Springfield, IL 62711 appreciated. Leonard Memorial Home of Glen Ellyn assisted the family in arrangements 630-469-0032.