Jean passed away, surrounded by love, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Born in Port Credit on November 8, 1933, Jean Ann Bowser (nee Welstead), of Meaford, was in her 93rd year. Beloved wife of the late Roy Bowser.
Loving mother of Kathy Traplin of Owen Sound, Gwenda Eagles (Doug) of Cambridge, and Lawrence Bowser of Edmonton. Cherished grandma of Andrew (Natalie), Joel, Charity (Chad), Kristen (Jeremy), Ashley (Brad), Brock (Melanie), and Victoria (Ryan). Beloved GG of Gracelyn, Auryn, Vera, Laurel, Keaton, Parker, Fletcher, Daxton, Beckam, Maverick, Elliott, Oliver, Layla, and Kallie. Dear sister of Jaqueline Loucks of Meaford, Ron Welstead of Meaford, and Norm Welstead of Toronto. Jean will also be missed by her nieces, nephews, and friends. Predeceased by her parents Jack and Ruth Welstead, sister Gail Poechman, son-in-law Michael Traplin, and by her brother-in-law Murray Loucks.
Jean was a dedicated and hardworking woman. She was a 10th-line Ladies Association member and successfully operated two farms around Redwing for several years on her own. An active member of the Georgian Bay Fruit Growers Association, she happily raised her family on an apple orchard. Later, Jean worked at Bendix in Collingwood making seatbelts, where she was a proud member of the Canadian Auto Workers Union. After retiring in Collingwood, she moved to Meaford in 2020, recently relocating to a retirement community in Cambridge.
In keeping with Jean’s wishes, cremation is taking place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Brian E. Wood Funeral Home, Owen Sound, 519-376-7492. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation, Canadian National Institute for the Blind Foundation, or Crohn’s and Colitis Canada would be appreciated. Online condolences can be sent to Jean’s family by visiting her memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca.
