BURLINGTON FLATS - Bonnie Lee Bowen, age 58, of County Highway #19 passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, December 19, 2007 in her home. She was born on March 14, 1949, in Herkimer, daughter of the late Donald F. and Mildred T. Murfit Gilbert.A lifelong area resident she as raised in Richfield Springs, and was a graduate of Richfield Springs High School, class of 1967 On July 15, 1967, she was united in marriage with Howard W. Bowen, Jr. in the former Richfield Springs United Methodist Church.Bonnie loved farming. She grew up on a farm and had farmed all of her life.For more than thirty years she and her husband owned and operated their dairy farm in Burlington Flats.During that time they bought her parents Florida property and tried going there yearly. In 2005 they retired from farming and she went to work as a clerical worker for the Otsego Mutual Insurance Company where she was currently employed. Mrs. Bowen had a strong belief in God and was a member of the Exeter CenterUnited MethodistChurch (now West Exeter). As a devoted wife and loving mother her family was first and foremost to her.Cherished are the many memories of the warm aromas that filled their home whenever she baked or cooked, especially during the holidays.An excellent homemaker, she enjoyed organizing parties for their many family gatherings. Bonnie found her relaxation in sewing and excelled as a seamstress.To all who knew her they would agree, she was happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family, especially her grandchildren when she was having a good board game or playing cards with them. A warm, hopeful and caring person she will be truly missed. Surviving are her husband of forty years Howard, three daughters, Lisa Bowen and her fianc Warren Williams, Teri Plows and her boy friend Kevin Musser and Brandy and her husband Charles Zinger all of Burlington Flats, six grandchildren, Jordan Williams, Shanna Plows, Brady Plows, Kevin Musser, Cole Plows, Caleb Zinger along with one grandchild on the way, Baby Zinger, four brothers and their wives, Leonard and Lois Gilbert of Mohawk, Franklin and Gwen Gilbert of Fort McCoy, FL, William and Connie Gilbert of Frankfort, Thomas and Diane Gilbert of West Winfield, four sisters, Virginia Hardman of Davison, MI, Joyce Shafer of Brick, NJ, Joan and her husband Ronald Buell of Palm Bay, FL, Gayle Gilbert and her companion Deborah Schuster of Burlington Flats, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Michael and Donald Gilbert. A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home; 40 West James Street, RichfieldSprings. The Reverend Jay Henderson, Pastor of the Burlington Flats Baptist Church will officiate.Interment will be later next spring in Exeter Center Cemetery.There are no calling hours.Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Bonnie Lee Bowen Memorial Fund, c/o Gayle Gilbert, 1837 County Highway # 19, Burlington Flats, NY 13315.Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.