Obituary of Shelby C. Bowen

Died Saturday August 24, 2013 surrounded by family and friends, following a short period of hospice care at Casa Dorinda Medical Center. She was 83. Born Georgann Shelby Cornell in Covington, KY, on July 9, 1930, Shelby was the cherished youngest child and only daughter of Annette and Dr. Josiah Cornell. Shelby attended Eastern Kentucky University. After living in El Paso, TX, Phoenix, AZ, and Park Hills, KY, Shelby and her family moved to Short Hills, NJ, where she met the love of her life, John C. "Jack" Bowen. Shelby and Jack spent many happy years traveling and enjoying their homes in East Hampton and Florida, until the lure of establishing a single home drew them to California. They settled in Santa Barbara in 1988, where they grew to love this wonderful community, developing cherished friendships that will live on. For 25 years, they generously supported many of Santa Barbara's charitable organizations, showing a special interest in those dedicated to education. Survivors include Shelby's dear granddaughter Shanti Smith (Lauren Winfield), her grandson, Jacob Smith, and her daughter Sharman Smith (Lanny.) Her son Steven died in 2011, but her grandson, Jacob Grimme, and daughter-in-law, Sonia Grimme, are thriving in Tiawan. Her loving stepdaughter Elizabeth Bowen Gilman (Edward), stepson, George Bowen (Marianne Nosal), and niece, Wiley Cornell (Richard Marschner) - all will miss her forever, as will her beloved poodle Remy. At Shelby's request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, and Search Dog Foundation, 501 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023. -