Share this obituary
Share on Facebook" /> 
CHESAPEAKE—Our beloved Lillian F. Bowers was called on August 5, 2024 to the comfort of our Lord’s embrace, passing peacefully at home among loving family.
Virtuous, strong, selfless, she was the family’s spiritual cornerstone. The embodiment of love, faith, and devotion, her beautiful spirit touched the lives of those who came within her sphere. A beacon of warmth and affection, such was her accepting nature she was pleased to be considered a Second Mom to so many.
Lillian F. Bowers, the youngest of ten children, was born in October 1932, in Baltimore, Maryland to Lillian Marie and John F. Thompson. Her competitive spirit in basketball and dodgeball at St. Jerome’s School in Baltimore earned her the nickname “Tiger Lil”, a name which was never retired. She met the love of her life, Donald L. Bowers, a young Signal Corps Sergeant at Fort Meade, Maryland. A marriage proposal brought the couple to upstate New York for the wedding ceremony held at the Bowers Farm in 1952.
In a General Electric migration, the family moved to Virginia in 1966, where the succeeding generations have populated the Western Branch borough and beyond. She was the matriarch of seven children, with enough love to share with scores of grandchildren and great-grandchildren that followed. Besides family, Lillian had a love for rock-and-roll music, slot machines, and sweets. She entertained family and friends for Sunday dinner for many years.
Lillian was predeceased by her parents (Lilian and John Thompson); sisters Eileen Thompson, Betty Harris, Eleanor Lebon, and Mary Brocato; Thompson brothers Bob, Buck, John, Gene, and Elmer; her loving husband Donald; her beautiful son David; and adorable grandson Michael, with whom she is rejoicing in Heaven.
She is survived by her children Dawn Bass (Tim), Deborah Parker, Denise Sancilio (Tony), Darlene Viola, Donald R. Bowers (Teresa), Doreen B. Tupper (Mike), and Susan Bowers (David); her grandchildren Christopher Viola (Ashley), Matthew Viola (Erica), Grace Bitgood (Carleton), Jessica Smith (D.J.), Anthony Sancilio, Russell Parker, Donald R. Bowers II, Christina Cross (Brian), Lili Sarver (Bruce), Anna S. Bowers, Heidi Suykerbuyk, Victoria Tupper, Andrew Tupper, and Grace Bowers; and her great-grandchildren Jacie Jones, Samuel Viola, Benjamin Viola, Parker Bitgood, Ella Viola, Peyton Bitgood, Madelyn Viola, Paisley Bitgood, Jillian Viola, Bennett Sarver, Braxton Pickett, Hadley Sarver, and Danyka Smith.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 7, at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High St. in Portsmouth. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, at St Paul Catholic Church, 522 High St., Portsmouth, with visitation an hour prior. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens in Suffolk. A gathering of friends and family will take place at the family home after the burial, pending weather. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.
VisitationWednesday, August 07, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
B.W. FOSTER FUNERAL HOME
1926 HIGH ST
PORTSMOUTH, VA 23704
St. Paul Catholic Church
522 High St.
Portsmouth, VA 23704
