Mary Beth (Hughes) Bowerman, age 78, peacefully passed from this earth surrounded by her family at the Cadillac Munson Hospital on Saturday, February 24th, 2024.

Mary Beth was born to Donald "Butch" and Bernice "Bea" (Fedder) Hughes on July 23, 1945 in Manistee, MI.  She was a graduate of the Manistee High School Chippewas Class of 1963.  Mary Beth was a proud Mom to 3 sons Scott, Marc and Jeff.

Mary Beth worked at Michigan State University the summer after graduation and became a Sparty forever.  She loved to watch Spartan football & basketball and was overjoyed when her eldest son Scott took her to the games.

Mary Beth was an avid golfer.  Her love for the game came from her dad who lovingly nicknamed her "Pete".  She enjoyed many a round with her weekly group as well as special outings and played with her son Marc and daughter in law Karen in events at the Country Club.

Mary Beth loved to cook, especially on the grill.  Her son Jeff gave her plenty of reasons to try out new recipes with his catch of the day from fishing and his game of the day from hunting.  The two of them made quite a culinary pair!

Perhaps one of Mary Beth's greatest loves was the beach, 5th Avenue beach specifically.  Her sons grew up down there and she made friends with families and those friendships lasted her lifetime.  She became known as one of the "browns on the beach" and most likely it was where she was the happiest.

Mary Beth became a Manistee County icon as a Bus Driver.  She began her driving career for Manistee Area Public Schools in 1979.  She also helped out with the Manistee Catholic Central School bus with sporting events as well as drove the famous Scottville Clown Band bus.  Many generations of families had MB as a bus driver in her 44-year career.  She enjoyed the kids and watching them grow each school year.  Driving for the sporting events was one of her favorite parts of the job as she loved watching the games and became one of the cheering section.  Oh, the stories that she would tell us about the nice and naughty kids, the sometimes-scary rides in the dark hours before sunrise when it was icy and some really wild rides home from sporting events late at night.  Even though it was tough at times, she loved driving the school bus!  If we only had a dollar for every time we heard her tell a story about driving bus when we ran into someone while out and about.

MB worked hard as a single Mom to provide for her sons.  In the summers while the school bus rested, she worked at the Four Forty West and for many years was a bartender at the Elks on Friday nights for the fish fry as well as the special parties.  Definitely her gift for gab and love for people is what lead her to these types of jobs.  She could sit for hours at a game or on the beach and talk with people and she loved meeting new ones.  She also had a passion for reading, always had a good book by her side and often her knitting bag.  MB enjoyed her yard, bright colored flowers and feeding the birds.  She loved to have coffee on her deck with her bestie & neighbor Lois while catching up on the stories of the day.  Mary Beth loved to live life.  She fought hard for that right, but her body was tired and it was her time for eternal rest.  She will be dearly missed by many.

Mary Beth was a member of the Divine Mercy Parish and a friend of the Manistee Tabernacle.  She was also a member of the Manistee Golf & Country Club until this past year when her health no longer allowed it.

Mary Beth is survived by her three sons, Scott Bowerman, Marc & Karen Bowerman and Jeffrey Bowerman, grandchildren Tucker Bowerman, Tabitha Armstrong and Amber McArthur, great grandchildren Orion, Adoni and Evander Armstrong.  Her brother James "Jimmy" Hughes survives her along with his daughter Karin & Brian Maue and their family.  Mary Beth's cousins Homer & Kris Ramsdell, Lucie Ramsdell, Kathy Fedder, Judy Fedder, Terry & Randy McDaniels, Jean Cook, Amy Koetje, and Jennifer Bozeman also survive her.  Her dear neighbors of over 50 years, the "browns of the beach", golf & knitting friends will remember her always.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m., Monday March 4th, 2024 at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Manistee with Reverend Michael Lingaur.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 3rd from 4-7 p.m. at the Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee.  The family will also be present at the church on Monday one hour prior to the funeral Mass.

Those wishing to remember Mary Beth with a memorial contribution may do so by donating to the Stomp Out Cancer Fund serving Manistee and Mason counties.  This fund was near and dear to Mary Beth's heart.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home as well as the church and their information is as follows:

SOC Fund, PO Box 783, Manistee MI  49660.         soc-fund.org

The Herbert Funeral Home in Manistee is serving the Bowerman family.