Beverly S. Stowell, 93, long time resident of New Paltz, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her family, on May 6, 2022.
Born and raised in Oklahoma, she was the daughter of James (Jack) E. Shannon and Nola (Mona) Thassler Shannon. She was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, of which she was one of the first women to join, upon its creation from what was then the Army Air Forces in 1947.
Mrs. Stowell, known to her friends as “B,” truly exemplified what it means to “have fun and enjoy life.” Trained in tap, ballet, and acrobatics in her youth, B was an enthusiastic dancer with an impeccable sense of rhythm – a skill well-preserved beyond even her most recent birthday. A memorable host of parties (birthday, holidays, etc.), B also enjoyed the occasional bourbon and Coke – 100 proof Old Grand-Dad or bust!
A well-known and unique maternal figure of the community, Mrs. Stowell regularly (and speedily) drove her sons and neighborhood children to school, somehow managing to apply makeup or tend to her hair curlers while steering with her knees. This role extended to driving the getaway car on a mischievous Halloween night.
Of both Choctaw and Cherokee descent, she spent decades educating not only herself, but others, on the history of the American Indian. She collected countless artifacts from her journeys across the country. She gave educational presentations complete with these artifacts, to both her sons’ & granddaughters’ classrooms. Her love for the desert southwest was evident in her home décor, and her artistic abilities extended beyond interior design to include many other skills (piano playing, poems, drawings, etc.).
B was a woman of multifaceted talents, who loved and raised innumerable animals, ranging from farm animals to cats and dogs, and who was always eager to spend time with her family. “Anywhere you want to go, anything you want to do… I’m here” was a common note left for her granddaughters.
She left an indelible mark on all those whose path crossed with hers, be they a childhood friend of her sons or granddaughters, a more distant relative, a neighbor, or otherwise.
Mrs. Stowell was predeceased by her loving husband, William C. Stowell Jr., January 29, 2000; her only sibling Clifford Shannon, February 11, 2001, and her mother, December 4, 2001. Her father passed away September 15, 1959.
Survivors include her two sons, William C. Stowell III (wife Michelle) of New Paltz, and James C. Stowell, of Walnut Creek, CA. Her cherished granddaughters, Sara E. Stowell (partner Harald Zils), of Vestal, NY and Rachel R. Stowell (partner Michael Amador), of New Paltz, and their mother, Diane C. Stowell, of New Paltz. Her precious grandsons, Curt Stowell and Liam Stowell, both of New Paltz.
Private burial in Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local animal shelter of one’s choosing, or Hudson Valley Hospice.
We love you Mom/Grandma/ “B,” and we promise to, “stay off the streets and out of the bars.”
Join the family! 
