Arline Bernice Stowe

TRAVERSE CITY - Our mom Arline (Hodgkin) Stowe, passed away at the age of 86, on June 15, 2019. Mom was born in Auburn, Maine on July 17, 1932. Her parents were Vinton and Ida (White) Hodgkin. She had a dear brother Edward. Mom met our dad LeRoy Stowe when he was in the Navy and stationed in Maine. She told us that she fell in love with his bright blue eyes under his white Navy hat. They were married on August 29, 1954 and lived in Maine for a few years before moving to Michigan where dad finished his Bachelor's degree at Michigan State University. In the mid-1960's, they moved our family to Traverse City, where dad was born and raised. Mom raised us in the home that dad designed and built. When we were older, mom worked at Long Lake Elementary school in the kitchen, and eventually became the head cook. Once she retired, she did a variety of activities. She became a Big Sister to a young girl at Blair school, she knitted hats for newborns at Munson Hospital and also hats for cancer patients. She took numerous trips through the Senior Center, which she loved. She especially loved the trip to Manitoba, Canada where she was able to see the polar bears. Mom liked animals. She also loved gardening. When it was time to garden, she'd say she was "going to go play in the dirt". In her later years, as it became difficult getting up and down, she and dad fashioned a way for her to be able to continue with her gardening. Mom was involved in a few groups at our church, but one we think she especially liked, was the Quilting Group. She had a hand in making many quilts (thousands) that were sent overseas to serve as warmth, flooring, a carrying apparatus, etc. Mom was a proud descendant of Mayflower Pilgrim, William Brewster, on her father's side. She loved being called a 'Maine-iac' and we loved her New England accent that showed up every now and then! Most of all, mom loved being in the presence of her family, especially her grandkids. Life was perfect for her at those times. Thankfully, just a few months before she died, she was able to hold her first great-grandchild, LeRoy Hahn. We are all so thankful for that. Mom is survived by our dad, LeRoy Stowe, daughters Laura (Dan) Hahn, Martha (Don) Sheehan, son Matthew Stowe (fiancee' EJ Sanchez), daughter-in-law and son-in-law Sherry and Roger Graves, grandchildren Sage (Jamie Gavin-Smyth) Hahn, Molly and Maggie Hahn, Meg, John and Jake Sheehan, Katrina (Jeremy) Litwiller, Stephanie (Jake) Fair, great-grandson LeRoy, sister-in-law Berniece (Edward) Hodgkin, and her daughters Marcia, Karen and Lynne and their families. Mom was preceded in death by her son Mark, her parents, and brother Edward Hodgkin. A private service has taken place. Burial is at Linwood Cemetery in Traverse City. Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home provided our family with excellent care.

Laura, myself, and our late brother Mark, if he were here, would all agree with Matt's heart-felt sentiment, "Mom, I will always love you and I will miss you forever, love your son Matt". Mom, you were the best mama.