Naydine Patricia (Bean) Mowry

ST. JOSEPH — Naydine Patricia (Bean) Mowry of St. Joseph made her leap into eternity Saturday (July 21, 2018) at home with loved ones.

Her husband of 62 years, Richard R. Mowry, preceded her death in 2012.

She leaves behind two sons, Geoff Mowry (Ellen March) of Fisher and Todd Mowry of Champaign; and a daughter, Gina Carr (Ricky) of Berlin. She also leaves a brother, Robert Bean of Champaign, and three granddaughters, Mendal Harms of Winston-Salem, N.C., Samantha Mowry (Jacob Schmit) of Chicago and Kimberly Mowry (Jason Lanoue) of Orem, Utah.

She majored in home economics at the University of Illinois, where she met her future husband. They were married in 1949 at University Place Christian Church, Champaign, where they were members for over 60 years.

Naydine was a blessing to everyone she met and an ardent believer in Jesus Christ.

Naydine was an avid BMW motorcyclist, winning numerous awards for riding the farthest, being the oldest female and having the oldest motorcycle at rallies all over the US. She and her husband, each on their own bikes, rode to and camped in several U.S. states and Canada.

She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing clothes for her entire family,including two tuxedoes for her son when he was in a college fraternity. She quilted with several groups at her church and in the Champaign County Homemakers Extension, where she had many friends and had been a member for 62 years.

Naydine and her husband were both involved with Scouting. Naydine was a den mother for Boy Scouts and a leader in Girl Scouts for over a decade, touching many lives. They also attended all SJO wrestling matches, football, softball and volleyball games as long as they were able.

Her very dry sense of humor was exceptional, as was her appetite for ice cream. She could easily down an entire gallon in one day and often did. This is one trait she passed on to her children and grandchildren.

She loved to sit and read but also liked to walk; participating in every 5k, Turkey Trot, Run for the Health of It, Jingle Bell Run and Twin City Twosome for many years. In addition, she enjoyed taking the Polar Bear Plunge in Mahomet for several years, even into her 80s. She stayed physically fit until her memory began to fail.

Besides her family, Naydine leaves behind countless friends in St. Joseph, at Champaign County Homemakers Extension, IBEW Local 601, University Place Christian Church and Berlin, Ill. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

She requested her body be donated to the science community. Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, was in charge of arrangements. There will be no service, but donations may be made to University Place Christian Church, Champaign.