Obituary of Betty Lois Bowers
Betty Lois Bowers (nee Lanting), a beacon of adventure and inspiration, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2025, at her home in Pine Brook, NJ, surrounded by her loving family. Just days before, she joyfully celebrated her 93rd birthday, a testament to a life well-lived.
Born and raised in Clifton, NJ, Betty later resided in North Haledon before moving to Pine Brook in 1967. The daughter of Dutch immigrants, her strong work ethic and zest for life shaped her remarkable journey. After graduating from Eastern Christian School System, she earned her RN degree from Paterson General Hospital Nursing School in 1952. Betty's passion for nursing blossomed as she served in various roles, including labor and delivery nurse, medical consultant, and public health nurse. She became a pioneering advocate for surgical birth control both in the U.S. and internationally. Her drive "to make a difference in the world" led her to volunteer as a speaker and later a traveling consultant for the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception (AVSC), a non-profit in New York City, where she educated people globally about fertility control and its impact on quality of life. Her groundbreaking work culminated in the publication of a surgical textbook entitled No-Scalpel Vasectomy in 1991. In 2014, she shared her story in A Public Health Journey: My Quest to Provide Permanent Contraception, which details much of her work to teach both counseling and surgical skills in the developing world.
Betty's adventurous spirit shone throughout her life. At 85, she embraced the thrill of paragliding off a mountain in Cape Town, South Africa—a testament to her fearless pursuit of new experiences. She spent countless summers tent camping with her first husband, Manny, and their six children, fostering a deep appreciation for the beauty of state and national parks. In 1994, she began RVing with her third husband, Richard, exchanging snowy driveways for warm adventures. Together, they explored beautiful parts of the country, finding joy in potluck gatherings at SKP parks, including her favorite one in Summerville, Alabama, and celebrating Mardi Gras in Cajun Louisiana where she joyfully gathered as many Mardi Gras beads as possible.
Throughout her life, Betty traveled to over seventy countries for work and pleasure, collecting fascinating stories along the way. She often reflected on the shared humanity she encountered, the exotic and delightful meals she enjoyed (and shared tips such as "drinking beer is sometimes safer than drinking water in parts of the world"), and how informed choices could enhance the quality of life globally.
Betty had a deep love for gardening, often spending hours cultivating her plants and preserving fruits and vegetables in her root cellar. She took great joy in the process of canning and sharing her homemade goods with family and friends. In addition to her green thumb, Betty was a life-long learner and voracious reader finding solace in the pages of her favorite books. Her creativity also extended to woodworking, where she enjoyed carving intricate designs and crafting unique pieces. These hobbies reflected her appreciation for nature, creativity, and the art of nurturing, further enriching her vibrant life.
In retirement, Betty remained active in her community, encouraging fellow seniors at her the Montville Senior Club to share their stories. She dedicated her writing to preserving memories for her great-grandchildren, highlighting the enormous changes she witnessed over the decades—from flying in an open-cockpit biplane with her barnstorming father as a toddler to intercontinental flights in her adulthood. Her love of writing and experiencing world cultures found expression through her membership in the Montville Writer's Workshop and Italian Language Club. Her service on the Montville Board of Health exemplified her commitment to her community.
Betty's legacy of love and adventure lives on in her children: Rick Gonzales and his wife, Jeannine; Tomás Gonzales and his wife, Leala; Connie Herbert and her husband, Mike; Billy Brower and his wife, Virginia; Debbie Gonzales; Denise McGlynn; Roger Bowers and his wife, Barry; and Pam Tengdin and her husband, Doug, her best friend of over 50 years, Vivian Cornacchia, as well as her eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her three husbands—Manuel Gonzales, Robert Sansoucie, and Richard Bowers—as well as three of her children, Ruth Elena Gonzales, Eduardo Gonzales, and Stevan Gonzales, and her brother, John Leonard Lanting.
For those wishing to honor her memory, the family kindly requests donations to EngenderHealth, the organization formerly known as AVSC, or to the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden. Visit https://www.engenderhealth.org/donate or via mail checks to EngenderHealth Inc, Mail Code 7348, PO Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170-0001 or the Karen Nash Memorial Butterfly Garden, Memorial Elementary School, 300 West Stewart Street, Washington, NJ 07882.
Betty Lois Bowers lived life to the fullest, embodying a spirit of adventure and an unwavering love for her family and friends. Her positive attitude, incredible stories, amazing sense of humor and indomitable spirit will forever resonate in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her. May we all strive to embrace adventure, cultivate curiosity, and cherish the beauty of life in her honor.
Funeral arrangements will be private.
