Jane K. Bowden

Jane Kathryn Skidmore Bowden, 81, of Cape Coral, passed away Monday, August 3, 2015 surrounded by her family at the Cape Coral Hospice House following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. Jane has been a Cape Coral resident since 1987, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio. She was born on September 16, 1933 in Sandusky, Ohio to Ethel (Casaver) and Clarence Skidmore, now deceased. Jane graduated from Sandusky High School in 1952. After marrying, she and her husband Neal moved to the Cleveland area and raised their family in South Euclid. Jane and Neal were avid boaters. They joined the Northeast Yacht Club on Lake Erie in 1962, where she later became President of the Ladies' Auxiliary. They made frequent visits to the Lake Erie Islands, and she had a special attachment to the Marblehead Lighthouse. In the late 1970s, Jane and Neal began wintering in Florida, first in the Keys, then on Pine Island, and eventually building their retirement home on the water in Cape Coral. Her volunteer efforts continued in Florida, where she was active in the New Residents' Club of Cape Coral, the Cape Coral Caring Center, and the Fort Myers Soup Kitchen. Her active social life included playing cards and dominoes with a large circle of friends, and she loved entertaining them with her quick wit and huge array of jokes. Jane was crafty as well, decorating shirts for years and selling them at local fairs. Jane and Neal were longtime active members of St. John's Lutheran Church in South Euclid and then Trinity Lutheran in Cape Coral. She loved shopping with her daughter and never lost hope that her beloved Indians or Browns would bring a World Championship back to Cleveland.

She is survived by her beloved husband of over 60 years, Neal Bowden of Cape Coral; son, Steven Bowden (Valerie) of Richmond Heights, OH and daughter, Kathleen Fitzgeorge (Ted) of Ft. Myers; sister, Betty Feasel of Sandusky, OH; and grandson, Dustin Bowden of Richmond Heights, OH.

Jane was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted and John Skidmore.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jane Bowden are suggested to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

A Celebration of Jane's Life will be held at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, 5632 Sunrise Drive, Ft. Myers, Fl. 33919 on Saturday, August 22nd at 10 a.m.