Elizabeth Ann Bowen
March 11, 1941 - March 26, 2019

Ms. Elizabeth Ann Bowen, fondly known as Weegie, left the planet on March 26, 2019. Born to Margaret Josephine Chaplin and Joseph Hopkins Bowen, Jr. in Bluefield, WV on March 11, 1941, Weegie went on to lead an extraordinary life that spanned the globe. After a joyful childhood with her beloved family in West Virginia, Weegie set off to study first at George Washington University and then the London School of Economics. She was known for her sharp wit, magnetic personality, and keen intellect. Shortly after finishing her studies, Weegie returned to Bluefield, campaigning for the Congressional seat in her home district at the age of 25. Though she did not win, the audacity and tenacity of her campaign was a window into the character she would bring to her lifes work. Friends often described Weegie as a force of nature, with a powerful and unique magnetic energy that ran through her life. She would channel that force to challenge conventions, speak her mind, and fight for the marginalized in the chambers of power. Not long after her Congressional Campaign, Weegie served as a foreign policy advisor in the Nixon White House. She regularly debated policy and politics with the likes of Henry Kissinger, Donald Rumsfeld, and Dick Cheney - the diminutive woman who would elbow in and make no bones about what she thought of the issue. Later, she joined the State Departments Foreign Service, where she built a distinguished 27-year career as a diplomat and Washington operator. She served across the globe, including tours to Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, England, Norway, and Lebanon. She served as Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Madras, India from 1986-1988 and was the Chief of Consular Section at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan from 1977-1981. She developed expertise in U.S. nuclear security and technology transfer. She had extensive experience managing sustained crises, and was responsible for the coordination of the evacuation of private American citizens after the Embassy was attacked in Karachi, Pakistan in 1979. She also served as a Congressional Liaison for the State Department in Washington, effectively advocating and representing the case for the importance of foreign policy and foreign aid. Upon her retirement from the State Department, Weegie started her own company the Bowen Group that specialized in international trade, food aid and humanitarian assistance. The firm looked to advocate on behalf of the outcasts, rebels, and forgotten people around the world. After 12 years of running the Bowen Group, Weegie re-entered government as a Senior Advisor in USAIDs Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, and later the Bureau for Global Health, where she worked tirelessly to raise the profile of foreign aid priorities within the legislative and executive branches of the government to secure the resources and policies needed to serve the neediest.
Weegie was a highly experienced leader in foreign policy, foreign assistance, and political affairs. Throughout her career, She served to be a persuasive mediator, team-builder and strategist. As a diplomat, she excelled as highly skilled individual in the art of diplomacy, international negotiation and cross-cultural exchange. As a seasoned advocate, Weegie successfully championed the advancement of humanitarian rights and interests. She led a long and distinguished career, but she will be most remembered by those that loved her for her warm spirit, rich laughter, sharp style of dress, and ability to make friends anywhere and everywhere. Weegie loved good company, especially when coupled with a divine meal and a cosmopolitan or hot cup of tea. It was rare that she would find herself among other people and not strike up a conversation. Those that she enjoyed and found kind would often be, and those she found rude or uncouth would receive an equal measure of sharp correction. Weegie embraced the world with a passion and playfulness that opened her to new ideas and perspectives throughout her life. She was able to be a player in the inner chambers of power, and also a frequent conversant on those who operated on the margins. Her charisma, kindness, and eloquence let her serve as a bridge between the two worlds. She lived an extraordinary life that was all her own and done just her way. She loved and was beloved by many, and will be dearly missed. Weegie was preceded in death by her mother, father, and brother Joseph. She leaves behind her sister Marjorie, brother Henry, and many adoring nieces and nephews. She loved being an Aunt to the children of her family, and to other young people she met through work and social spaces. She offered her wisdom, perspective, and encouragement unceasingly, and was beloved by those who had the chance to share those spaces with her.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Weegies name to Coalition Against Trafficking in Women

Checks can be mailed to:
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women
P.O. Box 7160
JAF Station
New York, NY 10116

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