Carmella Estelle Caliendo Bowman, 87, of Vero Beach, FL entered eternal rest Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Indian River Medical Center.
Affectionately known by her family and friends as "Ella," "Connie" and "Muzzie," Carmella was born May 31, 1921 in Long Branch, NJ. She moved to Florida in 1978 from Oceanport, NJ, and to Vero Beach in 2006.
Throughout her life, Carmella enjoyed many pastimes: She loved to gamble, whether the venue was Atlantic City, Las Vegas or on a cruise. She also loved to cook and bake for her friends and family. She was known to make extra servings of lasagne or pasta and deliver them to neighbors for their enjoyment. Carmella was also the consummate hostess, entertaining many friends at her homes in New Jersey and Florida.
Nurses and staff at several Florida hospitals have been the beneficiaries of her love of baking, enjoying the cookies Carmella would bring them after they cared for her or her husband.
Carmella was also a violinist, studying the instrument for 10 years and playing first chair in her high school orchestra.
Carmellas other pastimes included reading, doing crossword puzzles and listening to her all-time favorite entertainer, Perry Como.
Carmella was a U.S. Army wife for 22 ½ years.
Prior to her retirement she was a civil service secretary for the U.S. Army at Ft. Monmouth, NJ and was employed by the Social Security Administration in Fort Lauderdale.
She was a communicant of St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, an Elkette, and a member of AARP and the DAV Auxiliary.
Carmella was pre-deceased by her parents and 11 sisters and brothers. She is survived and missed by her husband of 52 years, William Francis Bowman, Sr. of Vero Beach; two sons, George Santanelli of Vero Beach and William F. Bowman Jr. of Somerset, NJ; her daughter-in-law PJ Parker Bowman of Somerset, NJ; three grandchildren, Christopher, Corey and Colin Santanelli, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews in New Jersey, New York, Florida and elsewhere.
Services: The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008 at the Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home in Vero Beach. Mass will be celebrated at 2 PM, Saturday, December 20, 2008 at St. Helen Catholic Church, followed by cremation.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.