Eleanor Jean Bovia

1934 – 2013

Westerly – Eleanor J. (Otwell) Bovia, 79, of Nutmeg Dr., died Sunday, November 10, 2013, in the Philip Hulitar Inpatient Center in Providence. She is the loving wife of the late Robert J. Bovia.  Born in Galena, MD, she was the daughter of the late Horace T. Otwell, Sr. and Fannie (Boyd) Otwell-Towler.

“Jean” as she was known by most, married the late Robert J. Bovia, on May 15, 1954, in Galena, MD. Soon after marriage, Jean lovingly supported Bob’s career in the U.S. Navy, beginning their first move of many. Their children were born in many of the locations that they called home including Annapolis, MD, Pensacola, FL, the Philippines, Japan, Guam, and Maine. In 1969, Bob retired from the Navy and as a family settled in Mystic, CT, before she moved to Putnam in 1986 with Bob. Jean made her home in Putnam, until Bob’s death in 1995. After his passing she spent her years living with various children of her family. Jean loved her family tremendously and always wanted to be the “most useful” as she would say, helping raise her grandchildren and supporting her children. She had a special relationship with all of her grandchildren but particularly her youngest grandson, Cody, who she liked to call “her baby”.

Jean had a great love for God and read her Bible daily, which gave her great comfort as she neared the last days of her life. She also loved the Boston Red Sox, and bluegrass music. Jean was a wonderful mother and grandmother who always took time for her family, who meant the world to her. She was always happiest and most content when she was surrounded by them. She will be missed by them dearly.

Jean is survived by her two sons Stephen Bovia and his wife Cathy of Danielson, CT and James Bovia and his wife Wendy of Bristol, CT, her five daughters Debbie Connor and her husband Steve of N. Stonington, CT,  Kathy Boumenot and her husband John of Westerly, RI, Kim Bousquet and her husband Tim of Stonington, CT,  Bonnie Stacy and her husband Joe of Westerly, RI, and Cheri Bovia of Pawcatuck, CT; and a brother Horace T. Otwell, Jr. of Galena, MD; her grandchildren Michael Bovia, Christopher Boumenot, Sarah DaSilva, Corey Beck, Jay Macko, Jr., Zachary Stacy, Ben Macko, Cody Stacy, and Holly Bousquet and great grandchildren Emilie Bovia and Kennadie DaSilva;. She was predeceased by a brother Dallas Otwell and a sister Dolores Moran.

The family would like to than her special nurses from RI Hospital-Jane Brown unit, Erin Goodman and Linda Blais, for their love and support and for taking the time to come to visit our Mom at hospice during her final hours. We will never forget the love you showed to both her and us.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jean’s family from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday November 13, 2013, in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday November 14, 2013 at 11:00 am in St. Mary Cemetery, 230 Providence St., Putnam.  A Memorial Service will be held on Friday November 15, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Lighthouse Community Baptist Church, 22 Pequot Trail, Stonington, CT. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Mystic Marine life Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355. For memorial guestbook visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.