Helen Ana Bowlin, 95
Helen Ana Bowlin, 95, went to Heaven on May 3, 2012. Helen, affectionately known as Turtle, passed away peacefully, due to natural causes, in Post Falls, with her daughter Claire by her side. Turtle was born on Sept. 9, 1916, in Santa Ana, Calif., and raised on a Dairy Farm in Indio, Calif. She was the youngest of three children born to the late Eva Lynn and Benjamin Cavanaugh.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Arthur and Frankie Cavanaugh, and also by her stepfather, Ross McDill, who raised her from a baby after her father’s death.
She graduated from Coachella Valley High School and married Thomas Bowlin on April 12, 1935, in Yuma, Ariz. Her husband Tommy died in 1955 and she never remarried. She dedicated her life to the love and care of her only child, Claire. Turtle enjoyed her profession as a beautician for 15 years then became a stenographer/clerk in LA County for 10 years. When Turtle was 55 years old, she returned to college and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Mount San Antonio College.
Turtle loved to travel and was proud of her solo trip in her motor home to Alaska, then across the United States down to the Florida Keys. She took great pleasure in her two trips to Hawaii. She also loved taking her daughter to the beach, reading, writing and enjoyed taking her granddaughter camping in her Chinook motor home. Turtle lived an exemplary life following Jesus and devoted her life to Christ.
Turtle will forever be remembered by those who she is survived by: her beloved daughter, Claire Bowlin Ierley and her husband Lon Ierley; granddaughter Jill Ierley Grey and her husband David Grey, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know her.
Turtle touched the lives of many people throughout her life and maintained her Irish sense of humor all the way to the end. Anyone who knew her thought she was a sweet and special woman. She certainly made the world a better place.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2012, at Coachella Valley Cemetery, 82925 Ave. 52, Coachella, CA 92236.