Afton
Afton Claire Bowen Brown
d. January 9, 2014
1932 ~ 2014
Afton Claire Bowen Brown passed away January 9, 2014 at her home, after a long illness. Claire was born May 26, 1932 to Grant R. and Sibyl Spande Bowen in Salt Lake City. She spent her childhood there except for a few years spent in Syracuse, New York, while her father attended graduate school. Her mother passed away when Claire was only 12 years old. Claire then took on many responsibilities in the home with her father and two brothers. She graduated from East High School in 1949. She always attributed her strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the help and examples of her good friends at East High. She then became a strength and example of faith to her husband and children. Claire attended the University of Utah before marrying Rohn D. Brown in 1955. They met in Chemistry class at the U, and have had a long love affair. They moved 13 times during their 58 years of marriage. All Rohn would have to say is, "What do you think of me taking a job in ... " and Claire would enthusiastically start packing. Their six children were born in Utah, Washington, and Arizona. They lived in the Bay Area of California from 1968 to 1996. While there, Claire raised the children and worked as a dental assistant, store manager, and office manager. She had a happy attitude and worked hard. She loved to cook and bake, put on parties, and she was a beautiful seamstress. She made holidays and birthdays special for her family.
Claire served in many callings in the LDS church throughout her life. She found joy in serving as the Primary president even after all of her own children were grown. She loved serving as a temple worker in the Oakland, California Temple in the early 1990's. Rohn and Claire served a 2-year mission at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City from 1996 to 1998. They settled in Springville, Utah after their mission to be near their oldest son and youngest daughter and their families. An auto accident, which occurred during their mission, caused long-lasting disabilities for Claire and she endured much pain with grace and courage. She had the ability to make people feel special and loved. She always encouraged and complimented her grandchildren. Though she lost her memory in these later years, she maintained her sweet personality. She wanted those who were helping her to know that she was grateful. The family would like to thank the loving and talented employees of Encompass Home Healthcare and Hospice for all their efforts.
Claire is survived by her brother, Paul (Sue) Bowen, her husband, and five of their children: Ben (Ellen) Brown, Julie (Paul) LeCheminant, David Brown, Aaron (Shelley) Brown, Heather (Carl) Clyde. She will also be missed by 24 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her baby son, Kevin, her parents, and her brother Dick. We know they are having a joyous reunion.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 16, at the Kolob Stake Center, 1230 S. 500 E. (can enter from 400 E.) Springville, Utah. A viewing will be held there from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with the service to start at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery in SLC at approximately 2:30 p.m. Condolences can be given at www.wheelermortuary.com.
Afton Claire Bowen Brown passed away January 9, 2014 at her home, after a long illness. Claire was born May 26, 1932 to Grant R. and Sibyl Spande Bowen in Salt Lake City. She spent her childhood there except for a few years spent in Syracuse, New York, while her father attended graduate school. Her mother passed away when Claire was only 12 years old. Claire then took on many responsibilities in the home with her father and two brothers. She graduated from East High School in 1949. She always attributed her strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the help and examples of her good friends at East High. She then became a strength and example of faith to her husband and children. Claire attended the University of Utah before marrying Rohn D. Brown in 1955. They met in Chemistry class at the U, and have had a long love affair. They moved 13 times during their 58 years of marriage. All Rohn would have to say is, "What do you think of me taking a job in ... " and Claire would enthusiastically start packing. Their six children were born in Utah, Washington, and Arizona. They lived in the Bay Area of California from 1968 to 1996. While there, Claire raised the children and worked as a dental assistant, store manager, and office manager. She had a happy attitude and worked hard. She loved to cook and bake, put on parties, and she was a beautiful seamstress. She made holidays and birthdays special for her family.
Claire served in many callings in the LDS church throughout her life. She found joy in serving as the Primary president even after all of her own children were grown. She loved serving as a temple worker in the Oakland, California Temple in the early 1990's. Rohn and Claire served a 2-year mission at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City from 1996 to 1998. They settled in Springville, Utah after their mission to be near their oldest son and youngest daughter and their families. An auto accident, which occurred during their mission, caused long-lasting disabilities for Claire and she endured much pain with grace and courage. She had the ability to make people feel special and loved. She always encouraged and complimented her grandchildren. Though she lost her memory in these later years, she maintained her sweet personality. She wanted those who were helping her to know that she was grateful. The family would like to thank the loving and talented employees of Encompass Home Healthcare and Hospice for all their efforts.
Claire is survived by her brother, Paul (Sue) Bowen, her husband, and five of their children: Ben (Ellen) Brown, Julie (Paul) LeCheminant, David Brown, Aaron (Shelley) Brown, Heather (Carl) Clyde. She will also be missed by 24 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her baby son, Kevin, her parents, and her brother Dick. We know they are having a joyous reunion.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 16, at the Kolob Stake Center, 1230 S. 500 E. (can enter from 400 E.) Springville, Utah. A viewing will be held there from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with the service to start at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery in SLC at approximately 2:30 p.m. Condolences can be given at www.wheelermortuary.com.
To send flowers to the family in memory of Afton Claire Bowen Brown, please visit our flower store.