Betty V. Mowbray

Betty V Mowbray, age 88, passed away peacefully April 13, 2024 due to the many health challenges one accumulates through the years.  She was born December 10, 1935 in Afton, Michigan to Harold and Myrtle Van Den Bosch.   Later with her parents and six siblings (Jeanette, Harold, Haroldine, Arnold, June and Thelma) she would move to the west side of Bay City Michigan where she would grow to become the woman she was through her youth then onto Handy Highschool, as a secretary at Short Freight Lines and meeting the love of her life, Jerry Mowbray, at church.  On October 1, 1955 Betty and Jerry pledged their commitment to each other and built a beautiful life filled with love, trust and chances.  They went on to attend Fraser Free Methodist church then Bay City Free Methodist church. Together with their sons they built a family business which would become Mowbray Heating and Plumbing.

Betty and Jerry were blessed with five children. Michael (Sandra Gutchak), Richard Mowbray, Robert (Tracey Behrmann), Susan and Patricia.   

Jerry was called to heaven too soon on February 20, 1999 at age 65 but not before the loss of their sweet daughter, Susan Paulette just a few months after her birth in 1965.  Betty never remarried and stated she felt complete to have had Jerry as her partner for as long as God decided.  Betty was fortunate to have such a strong family next to her at the passing of Jerry.  Her eldest son Mike became as what she would like to say her “right hand man.”   She stated many times she never knew what she would do without him.  After 20 years of coping with the loss of Jerry, Betty had to learn to live a new normal with the unexpected loss of her son Mike on April 19, 2019.

While adversity can make us stronger, certainly the joy of grandchildren can make one smile.  Betty & Jerry were blessed with several grandchildren.   Mike and Sandy gave them their first grandchild, Jamie, then Becky, Tom, Melissa and Kimberly.  Rich grew the family tree with the additions of Crystal, Kurtis and Katie.  Bob and Tracey followed with Sarah and Nathan.  Patty was never blessed with children but her pup, Maggie, probably received the most amount of babysitting time from Betty.  Betty’s family continued to grow with the additions of several great grandchildren and even a great great grandchild.

“I was blessed with a wonderful husband for 43 years.  I had a very nice family through these years.  I have only to be grateful and thankful for what God has given me for as long as he did.  May our family continue to be together always, and God bless them.”  - Betty Mowbray

The family would like to invite her many friends and family to join them at Gephart Funeral Home to celebrate her on Thursday, April 18, 2024 from 3pm to 8pm and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.  Funeral services will take place on Friday, April 19, 2024   beginning at 11am at the funeral home with interment following at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Kawkawlin where she will join her loving husband, daughter Suzy and her son -her right hand man- Mike who passed on this very day five years ago.

In lieu of flowers the family would welcome donations in Betty’s honor to the Gary Sinise Foundation, honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. 201 W Midland St Bay City, Michigan   48706