Judith Bowles Obituary

Judith Ann Bowles
August 13. 1947 - May 5, 2025
Judith Ann Bowles (Pulman), born August 13, 1947, passed away on May 5, 2025. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Bowles, her daughter, Lisa Bowles, her three grandchildren, Giovanna Pennington (Marone) (Robert Pennington), Matthew Marone (fiancé, Maximilian Rodio), and Angelina Marilly (Marone) (Dane Marilly), and her three great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Savannah and Bobby Pennington.
Judi was born and raised in Alexandria, VA by her late parents, Francis L. Pulman and Annamae Pulman (Montague). She lived on Rosemont Avenue next door to her cousin and best-friend, Sandra Holt (Pulman). She graduated from G.W. High School in 1965, and began working immediately for the Federal Government in the Department of the Defense. She worked for many years in the Office of the Surgeon, and then ended her career as a Budget Analyst. She was an expert at the software used for budgeting and taught countless others how to use it. It was her proudest professional accomplishment.
Tom and Judi first married in 1967. Early in their marriage they were part of a bowling league and no one has ever looked more graceful throwing a ball. They raised their daughter in Alexandria, VA. Judi was the first Girl Scout Troup 180 leader, and influenced countless young girls to be strong, independent and resilient. Judi was a mother to anyone that was friends with her daughter, but was especially loved by Amanda Griggs and Wendy Martin-Shuma (Good).
Judi also coached the girls' soccer team in Alexandria and led them to their first winning season.
Judi was an avid reader, reading between 60 and 100 books per year. She passed that love of reading on to her daughter and just before her passing told her great-grand daughters to always read as much as possible. She believed in literacy and imagination. She thrived when left alone to read, puzzle, or craft. Judi has made hundreds of needlepoint and cross-stitch items throughout the years, and they have become treasured family heirlooms.
After an early-retirement, Tom and Judi relocated to Lillington, NC to be near Judi's sister-in-law, the late Carolyn Sellers (Bowles). Judi thrived in her local community of Mamers and became the treasurer/secretary of the Woodmen of the World Local Lodge. She ran the Bingo program, and she set up nursing home visits, school donation projects, and the gathering of toys for local children for Christmas. She participated in many fundraising events and made sure that all fire houses, police departments and schools had new clean American Flags.
Judi and Tom also loved to dance. Their time in North Carolina was spent dancing with their friends, especially Pat, Sue and Julie. Judi went on many trips with W.O.W. and really loved the activities and games played with friends.
Judi became "Mamaw" when her first grandchild was born in 1993. She was the most devoted, most involved, and most sought-after grandmother. Anyone who knew her was jealous of her daughter and grandchildren and would often ask "will you adopt me?" All of her off-spring were spoiled beyond measure. Disney trips were taken often, nothing was ever too much to ask, and Judi was never too busy or too tired to give the kids in her life anything they wanted.
Mamaw moved to New Jersey a few years ago to be closer to her daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved nothing more than when her house was filled with family. She was an avid card player and played cribbage and hand and foot up until her last days.
Perhaps Judi's greatest passion was travel. Judi and Tom traveled to all 48 contiguous states with her mother and her late Aunt, Elva Wesley (Montague). She also traveled to Alaska, Mexico, multiple Caribbean Islands, Canada, Scotland, Ireland and England. She never failed to learn and see as much as possible everyday of her life. She loved Holden Beach and nothing was better than eating crabs with family.
Judi's biggest talent was organization and planning. Nothing in her life was not on a chart, graph, list or spread sheet, all of which was color-coded and included every detail she could think of relating to the topic.
Judi was an inspiration to all who met her and will be dearly missed.
Tom and Lisa invite friends and family to attend a Celebration of Life that will take place on May 15, 2025 at Kathedral Event Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Kathedral is located at 499 S. Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037. Video portions of the Celebration will be posted to Lisa's Facebook for those who cannot attend in person.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made in Judi's name to the Girl Scouts via the following link: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/support-us/donate/donate-now.html
Memories and condolences may be shared @ancscremationservice.com
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Judith Ann Bowles, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.