Eva Bowie dies five weeks before 100th birthday

Sep 14 2011 by Kenny Smith, Rutherglen Reformer

THE widow of the former Rutherglen West Parish Church minister has died just five weeks before her 100th birthday.

Eva Bowie was the widow of the Reverend Allan Bowie, who was minister at the West Parish Church for almost 42 years.

She passed away on Saturday in the Victoria Infirmary, having been a Rutherglen resident for 67 years.

Originally from Greenock, she was born on October 18 1911. She was baptised Jean Evelyn but has always been known as Eva.

After leaving Greenock Academy, she became a partner in the family business. She was a member of Greenock West Kirk, where she was in the choir, and it was during the war that she met a new young assistant minister who later received a call to the Parish of Rutherglen West in February 1944.

On her 33rd birthday she married the Rev Allan Bowie, in Glasgow University Chapel.

From this date, until her husband retired in October 1985, she was the perfect traditional minister's wife - immaculately dressed and was well-known for her stylish hats. Mrs. Bowie always took an active interest in all aspects of the congregation's activities.

She has two sons, Walter and Hamish, who from their infancy were involved in the church. Both, when went on to become ordained elders - Hamish, was for some years the Presbytery elder and from the age of 14, Walter deputised as relief organist.

The Lady of the Manse was of a generation who preferred to be addressed by all except family and close friends, as Mrs Bowie. She was an excellent hostess and was a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Rutherglen from its first year in 1961 until a few years ago.

When she was able, Eva enjoyed her annual summer holidays in Lytham St Annes, and even when she was approaching 100, still enjoyed frequent car runs to Largs.

One day in July this year, she was taken by her sons, at her own request, for a day trip to St Annes where she enjoyed lunch and dinner in her 'own' hotel - 400 miles in a day.

Since Mr Bowie died 13 years ago, she has continued to live at home with her two sons, and kept remarkably well until last weekend. She was admitted to hospital on Wednesday and sadly passed away early Saturday.

Her funeral will be held in the church, now called Rutherglen West and Wardlawhill Parish Church, where her husband had such a long ministry, tomorrow (Thursday) at 1.30 pm.

Not only was she their oldest member, but was in fact the oldest-ever in the congregation which goes back to 1836.

The service will be conducted by Mr Bowie's successor, who himself retires at the end of this month, the Rev Jack Drummond.